Term limits usually end mayoral reigns in New Port Richey. But Frank Parker's decision not to seek re-election after a single two-year term means city voters will be seeking a new mayor for the third time in the past four years.
Two candidates stand out: Former Mayor Wendy Brenner, who is seeking the job she vacated in 2002 because of health concerns, and Dan Tipton, who owns a remodeling business and was a two-time candidate for County Commission. A third candidate, Tony V. Barbaro Sr., declined to provide information about his candidacy or be interviewed for this recommendation.
Brenner and Tipton recognize New Port Richey needs to shrink the size of its citywide redevelopment district in order to ease the burden on its general fund. Under the current strategy, nearly all the tax revenue attributable to increased property values goes into the redevelopment fund for capital expenses and nominal personnel costs. But the city has discovered it is cash strapped because of the strings attached to the CRA spending.
It eliminated jobs through attrition to help balance the current budget and already is examining each city department to determine where further cuts could come. Council adopted streetlighting fees last year, but, on a 3-2 vote, it correctly killed the idea of assessing every property owner, regardless of ability to pay or their tax status, a new fee for fire protection.
Equally difficult choices loom ahead. Neither Tipton or Brenner is ready to turn over the library to Pasco County and both want to maintain city public safety services, but Tipton acknowledges the tight budget means the city should explore sharing services with the county. Both candidates also identified the building department as problematic and in need of becoming more oriented toward customer service.
Judging by their platforms, the city would be well served if either is elected mayor. While Tipton has done an admirable job in becoming familiar with the city budget, he cannot match Brenner's experience. She served six years on the council before winning the mayoral contest in 2000. She did not seek re-election two years later after being diagnosed with inoperable cancer. However, her prognosis changed for the better and she said she has the stamina to return to public service. She pointed to recently working 16 consecutive days as Chasco Fiesta coordinator for the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce as proof.
Brenner's resume also includes terms as New Port Richey's representative on Tampa Bay Water, the regional water wholesaler for 2-million people. With a desalination plant now off line, construction of a giant reservoir proceeding, and a water board promise not to seek additional ground water from Pasco or other locales, Tampa Bay Water is at a critical juncture. Strong representation there is imperative and Brenner, if she appoints herself to the board, would hit the ground running.
The Times recommends Wendy Brenner for New Port Richey mayor.
The choice for a two-year council seat is not as clear cut. Two-term incumbent Scott Chittum is seeking re-election. He is being challenged by political newcomer Matthew Paul McCaffery, who just returned to New Port Richey after a four-year hitch with the U.S. Marine Corp and overseas duty during the war in Iraq.
Chittum, a sales representative for Humana, did not respond to multiple requests for an interview. If he is as detached from his constituents as he is from his candidacy, the city is served poorly.
Chittum was part of a three-person majority that last year rejected a bed and breakfast proposal from School Board member Kathleen Wolf and her husband. The vote came even though the city attorney warned the council it had no legal reason to turn down the proposal. A council serious about redevelopment shouldn't be pandering to neighbors who offer baseless objections to what would have been a neighborhood enhancement.
Though Chittum has the edge in experience, McCaffery, 22, offers a strong work ethic. He works full-time as an assistant produce manager at a grocery and is carrying a full course load at Pasco-Hernando Community College.
McCaffery graduated from Gulf High in 1999 and returned to the city late last year to find little had changed during his four-year absence. That is indicative of youthful impatience, but McCaffery recognizes youth is an asset. Much of his campaign, he said, has been spent urging his peers to register to vote.
"Even if I don't win, I've gotten more voters (involved) in the political process," he said.
We like his stand against apathy. McCaffery is just four months removed from serving his country. New Port Richey voters should allow him to serve them as well as a City Council member.
CANDIDATES' VIEWS
The Times invites candidates not recommended by the newspaper to respond to this editorial. Responses should be no longer than 250 words and must be received by the newspaper by 5 p.m. Wednesday. They can be mailed to the attention of C.T. Bowen, Pasco editor of editorials, St. Petersburg Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668-1499; fax, 727 869-6233; or e-mail to bowen@sptimes.com
