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MELIA BOWIEFrank Parker says this will be his final term on New Port Richey's city council. He wants more family time.
NEW PORT RICHEY - Mayor Frank Parker says this will be his last term on the New Port Richey City Council, although he is leaving the door open for future political office.
As of now, however, "I need to get some time back for my family," Parker, 58, said Monday. "I can't serve three masters; two is enough at this time."
Parker, a certified public accountant, was first elected to council in 1994 and served until 2000 when term limits forced him out.
He was elected again in April 2002 with nearly 54 percent of the vote.
"I tend to be on the conservative side and I think that's been a good balance," said Parker, who serves on the council with deputy Mayor Tom Finn, Ginny Miller, Scott Chittum and Bob Langford.
In April, Finn and Miller were re-elected to their final council terms and newcomer Bob Langford replaced Susan Clark on the council. Chittum is eligible to seek a third term during the municipal election in April that also will likely include a ballot measure that would allow longer term limits for council members.
Parker led the council this year through a tense budget crunch and a major redevelopment initiative, which he also cautions must be carefully navigated.
"We can't mortgage ourselves with the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency)," he said, noting elected leaders must "move slowly and not jump into things."
Parker said earlier this year he considered pursuing higher political office but has since decided the time is not right.
"At one point I had thought of running for a house seat with Heather (state Rep. Heather Fiorentino) stepping down, but the legislature is in session in a bad time for me," he said. "It's during my revenue-producing season" as an accountant.
Parker's announcement comes after the October retirement of veteran police chief Aage Madsen and an October announcement from Finn that he is fighting hepatitis C.
The mayor said Monday that he is leaving elected office at a time when the city council is strong.
"Everybody on there is experienced now," he said. "You've got four good people."
And Parker said he will have more time to devote to his business and his family, which includes two daughters and three grandsons.
As for the future: "Am I ever going to run again? I don't know," he said. "I would never say never."
- Melia Bowie covers the city of New Port Richey. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is bowie@sptimes.com