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By C.T. BOWEN
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 30, 2001
Mike Bussell, active in the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce and Main Street, sounds like an advertisement for the status quo in Zephyrhills city government: Plenty of clean water flows when you turn on the tap; the trash gets picked up; recreation areas "are super"; taxes are stable; and the city manager is doing a good job.
Voters might wonder why Bussell is seeking a change. So do we. He ran unsuccessfully a year ago against council President Elizabeth Geiger and this year is challenging three-term incumbent Tim Ippolito for a two-year seat on the Zephyrhills City Council. It is the only contested race in this city's April 10 election.
It is curious that Bussell keeps challenging supporters of City Manager Steve Spina, who finds himself frequently criticized despite the city's progress. But here are Bussell's thoughts on Spina's performance:
"I think Steve Spina is doing a better job this year than last year. Is that a problem with me? No. Steve is a good city manager."
Regardless, he said, new blood is needed on the council. Bussell, an advertising sales representative for the Zephyrhills News, is affable and a downtown booster, but he offers voters no real reason to change.
We are troubled by his stance against the city collecting school impact fees on residential construction at the same time he says the city needs to plan for an inevitable influx of younger families. He also echoes criticisms offered previously by council member James Bailey that city employees should have conducted their own salary study instead of relying on an outside consultant. The logic of allowing workers to present their own remuneration data escapes us.
Ippolito, a lieutenant in the city of Tampa Fire Department, was a member of the council that promoted Spina to city manager and has worked since to improve downtown, refurbish parks and jump-start economic development at the city-owned airport, while maintaining a steady property tax rate for 10 years.
Ippolito acknowledged that his performance over the past term suffered as he went through a divorce. "My heart wasn't in it, and I apologize for that."
He gained the most notoriety for voting against a larger pay raise for city firefighters, a move that prompted the Fire Department to unionize as it sought salary equity with the Police Department. If he had to do it again, Ippolito said he probably would recuse himself to avoid any potential conflict of interest.
Ippolito should be commended, not chastised, for his position. It took courage to vote against the financial interests of fellow firefighters. But Ippolito is correct. Police patrol officers and firefighters are not comparable positions deserving equal pay.
The resulting furor has brought the firefighters union into the city's political landscape each of the past three elections. But instead of relying on propaganda from a special interest group, voters would be wise to consider the city's accomplishments during the past half-dozen years.
The city obtained state grant money to complete the first phase of its downtown streetscape and soon will begin the second phase of adding sidewalks, street lights, curbing, landscaping and decorative brick to beautify downtown. Retail growth is poised to bloom once again on the north side as a Wal-Mart super center is proposed for U.S. 301. The airport authority purchased the former Aerocenter property with an eye toward additional economic development after previously opening an 82-acre industrial park at the airport. Krussen field received new lights, bathrooms and a roller-skating track. The city built a new fire station and is making plans to build a new police station.
Ippolito was a part of that progress. His background in public safety and experience on the council are an asset voters should embrace. The Times recommends Tim Ippolito for re-election.
The Times invites candidates not recommended by the newspaper to respond to this editorial. Responses should be no longer than 250 words and must be received by the newspaper by 5 p.m. Monday. They can be submitted to the attention of C.T. Bowen, Pasco editor of editorials, St. Petersburg Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668-1499; fax, (727) 869-6239; or e-mail to bowen@sptimes.com.