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Better managing growth is his goal

A retired police officer and political neophyte, Richard Callahan says he doesn't want a seat on the County Commission for power, prestige or money.

By CATHERINE E. SHOICHET
Published January 14, 2006

For years, Richard W. Callahan was a casual observer of county politics.

But when he read about the increasing number of building permits issued in the county this year, Callahan decided to take action.

"I know you can't stop development," he said, "but this pace needs to be slowed down."

Last week, Callahan, 61, filed papers to run as a Republican for County Commission District 4. A retired police officer who worked in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, Callahan said he's never run for office before, and until a few months ago, he had never considered it.

"I think we need to limit the development, and we need to make the developers pay for more of the infrastructure," he said.

He said the county should stop development in environmentally sensitive areas and strictly adhere to its comprehensive plan.

As a commissioner, Callahan said he would work toward repealing the gas tax, which he said most affects the people who can least afford to pay it.

"I'm passionate about what I want to do," he said. "I'm not running for the power, the prestige or the money."

Callahan lives in Crystal River with his wife, Patricia.

He said he served in the U.S. Navy and completed two tours in Vietnam. For more than 20 years he worked as a police officer in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Callahan said he moved to Citrus permanently in 1997 to help his mother. He considers Citrus his adopted home.

From his house in Crystal River, Callahan runs a business, Accurate Data Service. He said the company helps clients all over the world use public records for pre-employment background screenings.

Republican John Thrumston and Democrat Bernie Leven also have filed to run for the District 4 seat.

The incumbent, Commissioner Jim Fowler, a Republican, has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election this year.

[Last modified January 14, 2006, 01:38:14]