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Harris and Latvala

Both are thoughtful advocates for important county improvements.

By Times editorial
Published August 17, 2006

Pinellas County commissioners have ventured into new territory - searching out affordable housing solutions, offering recreation and other services and finding more dollars for social services and transportation. They have fumbled sensitive issues such as development in county parks and preserves.

Calvin Harris

District 2 Democratic primary (countywide)

Eight-year incumbent Calvin Harris deserves to remain in office.

Harris, 64, is a Democrat who gets substantial support from Republicans, who will be unable to vote in this primary. He relies on his good common sense, listens carefully and thoughtfully advocates environmental conservation, job creation and involvement of young people in county affairs. He pushed for a recreation program for residents of the unincorporated area, lobbies for a better countywide bus system and promoted new design standards for redevelopment projects.

His opponent, Norm Roche of Clearwater, formerly worked as a public relations specialist in the county utilities department and is now a graphic designer for a local magazine. He lost a county commission race to Ronnie Duncan in 2004.

Roche, 44, has some creative ideas, but his ambitions have clouded his judgment. Roche and his brother, Brian, found a way to close the primary to all voters except Democrats by registering Brian as a write-in general election candidate against Harris. It is a win-at-all-costs trick that reflects poorly on Roche.

The Times recommends Calvin Harris for Pinellas County Commission at-large District 2.

Susan Latvala

District 4 open primary (North Pinellas)

Susan Latvala, 57, of Palm Harbor has been one of the busiest, best informed and most outspoken members of the County Commission during her six-year tenure. The Republican takes strong stands and doesn't apologize for them. She defends the county's efforts to provide more affordable housing, and she has supported spending more for drug counseling and for public waterfront that can be used for marinas to accommodate boaters whose docks are being eliminated by redevelopment. She also is a strong supporter for Penny for Pinellas, which voters will be asked to renew next year.

Republican challenger Ray Brooks, a 55-year-old computer consultant, is not prepared for office. As a mobile home resident, he knows mobile home issues but little else about county government.

This Republican primary is open to all voters in the district because there are no other candidates.

The Times recommends Susan Latvala for Pinellas County Commission District 4.

[Last modified August 17, 2006, 05:46:39]