Activist's message falls flat

He makes allegations the county finds underwhelming.

By DAVID DECAMP, Times Staff Writer
Published August 23, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - The short man in the charcoal suit waited patiently in the audience. It was Tuesday, and the Pasco County Commission was slogging through seven hours of hearings.

Eli Staub sat among a crowd that at times numbered up to a few hundred but had dwindled to no more than three by the time he stepped to the podium at 5:30 p.m.

Staub had brought his message all the way from Washington.

He faced four commissioners, all of them tired and restless. So his timing could have been better.

As it turned out, so could his preparation.

Staub told commissioners that he is a union activist and researcher for the Campaign to Improve Assisted Living. He wanted the county's assistance to improve the lives of residents who complained about two Atria assisted living complexes in Hudson.

His chances went south from the beginning.

Eyebrows up, Commissioner Ann Hildebrand told him her late mother and uncle had been at Atria. They received good care, good food. She was shocked by his allegations.

Had he been there?

"I have not been personally, no," Staub said.

"It's a very nice place," she said. "It's probably one of the premier nursing homes."

Chief Deputy County Attorney Barbara Wilhite told Hildebrand that she, too, had relatives at Atria, who also were treated well.

Staub said he was happy someone had a positive experience. He tried to explain his position.

Off to the side, county staffers smirked and shook their heads.

Hildebrand seemed to capture the skepticism in the room when she remarked: "I would think before you spent and drove from Washington, D.C., and came here - and we're glad you spent the day with us - you would have at least made the trip there."

He nodded politely. He left swiftly after Hildebrand wished him a good day. No one else wanted to say a word.

David DeCamp can be reached ddecamp@sptimes.com or 727 869-6232.

[Last modified August 22, 2007, 21:26:05]