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GOP doesn't need this infighting

GOP doesn't need this infighting 

Election Day was a sad day for the residents of Pasco County as they lost an astute, thoughtful and dedicated commissioner. Steve Simon did a lot of good for Pasco, and it is a shame that a Democrat was able to take advantage of one error in which Simon was caught using the Internet for recreational use during a meeting.

However, for some Republican officials to blame the Republican Executive Committee for Simon's loss is irresponsible, particularly in a time when there is nationwide backlash against the party. They do have some nerve fomenting dissent among local Republicans, particularly Chris Sprowls and state Sen. Mike Fasano. It was Sprowls' club, the West Pasco Republican Club, which is tightly aligned with Fasano, that endorsed and gave money to Frank Parker and Michele Chamberlin, two candidates for the nonpartisan School Board. And after what happened Nov. 7, Fasano should have the good sense to realize that the party does not need any drama or infighting if we expect to be successful regionally in 2008.

Sheriff Bob White's and Commissioner Ted Schrader's public outbursts also were a bit foolish. Their seats certainly are not safe since they too have been the targets of Pasco Times exposs. Their comments were best directed to Bill Bunting in private in the spirit of cooperation rather than competition. If local Democrats can muster up two serious candidates in 2008, they have a strong chance of unseating these incumbents.

The fact of the matter is there is no evidence that Simon's fate would have been any different if the local Republican Executive Committee had given money to his campaign. Simon raised nearly $38,000 more than his opponent and lost by more than 5 percentage points. It was going to take a lot more than money to overcome that margin.

Another fact is that the local Republican Executive Committee has never been more successful or prosperous than under the leadership of Bill Bunting.

Ryan O'Reilly, Brooksville

Buntings aren't good for our party

Wake-up call finally for the Buntings! Have they figured it out yet from recent events? There are many who have been saying for more than 15 years that Bill and Ann Bunting are not good for the Republican Party in Pasco. We are hardworking Pasco Republicans, who are not in the loop, who do not carry weapons permits and who did support the Penny for Pasco. The Buntings and the Republican Executive Committee do not represent us. They have their own agenda.

They cannot be trusted, as evidenced by the last superintendent's election, the Judge Renke situation and the recent Steve Simon snub.

Finally, all of Pasco sees them for what they truly are. It is definitely time for a change in the Pasco Republican Executive Committee. We need a group that can be trusted.

Tess Jordan, Trinity

Simon should blame himself

Steve Simon's attempt to shift blame to Pasco GOP chairman Bill Bunting is childlike and ridiculous. There have been many Republican candidates who have run without the support of the Pasco Republican Party and won. I am sorry, but Mr. Simon has no one to blame but himself. He had nearly twice the money that Michael Cox did, yet failed to run a strong grass roots campaign. I never saw him speaking, nor knocking on any doors in an effort to connect with the people he represented.

Instead, Mr. Simon needs to look at the consultant he hired to form his campaign strategy and not Bill Bunting or the Republican Party. Hopefully Mr. Simon will learn from his errors and will be a viable candidate the next go around.

Ed Ostrand, Port Richey

[Last modified November 14, 2006, 07:14:26]