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Rhetoric hampers group's effort to disband Port Richey

A political action committee seeking a referendum to disband Port Richey should stick to its game plan. Its embarrassing audible at a legislative delegation meeting last week exposed the group's true motives that rightfully drew legislative rebukes.

The suggestion to disband Port Richey's city government and allow its residents to be absorbed into unincorporated Pasco County is an idea worthy of study and debate. Until last week, the people calling for a referendum on the city's future had focused on economics. The cost of running the tiny government outweighed its benefits, according to literature distributed by the Port Richey Citizens for Lower Taxes.

The group's two public leaders, physician Steven Johnston and dentist Robert Goluba, appeared before Pasco's state legislators last week seeking a local bill that would require the referendum. They brought with them an undisclosed number of petition signatures supporting their claim, but withdrew the request after acknowledging little sympathy from legislators.

Unfortunately, Goluba strayed from the script. He called City Council actions "Gestapo tactics" and played a recording of council member Fred Miller speaking. On the tape, Miller stated his belief that people who signed petitions to disband the city shouldn't be invited to serve on the city's advisory boards and committees.

Gestapo tactics? Here's a better definition: patronage appointments. After Port Richey's nonpartisan elections, appointments to city boards always are determined by the controlling faction.

After the 2003 election, former Mayor Eloise Taylor and council member Bill Bennett were on the short end of 3-2 votes on every council appointment. That changed a year later when Miller and Greg Ross won election to the council and continues today even though Mark Abbott defeated Taylor in April and Ross resigned seven months ago.

"It's no different than the governor or the president or the mayor of a city. They bring in their own people," state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, said after the delegation meeting.

A pair of legislative counterparts were more blunt. If you don't like the way the city is being run, then seek office or support a candidate who shares your point of view to facilitate change, urged Rep. Richard Glorioso, R-Plant City, whose district includes a small portion of east Pasco. Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, echoed the sentiment and noted the lack of public support for the referendum.

The Port Richey Citizens for Lower Taxes now promise to be active in the upcoming municipal election as a precursor to getting the referendum on a later ballot. It is a logical path of action.

In the meantime, members should eliminate the public rhetoric about Gestapo tactics. It dilutes their message and diminishes the intellectual level of the public debate.

That is one of the byproducts of shining the spotlight on City Hall. Committee members and their supporters can be illuminated unflatteringly as sore losers.

[Last modified November 8, 2005, 02:15:36]