Former city attorney dives into mayoral race

Eloise Taylor says recent problems "raise serious concerns about the direction of the city" and caused her to run for office.

By MATTHEW WAITE

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 7, 2000

PORT RICHEY -- Eloise Taylor started kicking around the idea of running for mayor of Port Richey after Eileen Ferdinand resigned to run for County Commission last month.

Friends and neighbors encouraged the former Port Richey city attorney to run, but she wasn't quite sold on the idea. But this week, when news of an accusation of a council member interfering with a city official surfaced, she decided she couldn't stay on the sidelines.

"This is the important time to run," Taylor, 57, told the Times on Thursday, announcing her candidacy in the Sept. 5 special election.

Taylor is the first challenger to acting Mayor Bob Leggiere, who announced he wanted the job shortly after Ferdinand resigned. Leggiere submitted his resignation, required by law, to run for mayor on Wednesday.

On Monday, police Chief Bill Downs confirmed he was looking into an accusation by a former building official that Leggiere interfered with his duties and caused him to resign. Leggiere has denied the accusation and said he was confident the investigation would clear him.

Taylor said she's concerned that recent events, from the investigation to zoning squabbles, signal a slip into Port Richey's past of "public controversy, political dealmaking, special interest politics and cronysism."

"I have seen with my own eyes things that raise serious concerns about the direction of the city," she said.

Leggiere said he wasn't troubled by Taylor's entry into the race. Since news of the investigation was published in Tuesday's Times, Leggiere said he has received a steady stream of support.

"She has a right to be concerned," he said. "This way, the people can select what they want."

Taylor holds a doctorate in political science, was city attorney from 1992-93 and served as an assistant county attorney in Pasco and Hernando counties before that. She has a private law practice and home in Port Richey.

In 1993, against Taylor's advice, the City Council voted to remove former council member William Wilson on charges that he interfered with city officials and the day-to-day operations of the government. She resigned her city attorney's post over the matter.

Taylor on Thursday said other important issues are seeing some major projects in the city through to completion. She said waterfront development and revitalization, the city hall and Wal-Mart projects were vital.

"I think the city has made a lot of progress," she said.

Taylor also said she wanted to continue giving citizens a voice in the planning of the city.

Taylor said she disagrees with Leggiere about forming a local code enforcement board. Leggiere has championed the issue; Taylor thinks it's designed to fail.

"Port Richey is a small community," she said. "The operation of a code enforcement board in a community of 3,000 will be very different from the county with 300,000.

"You have the potential for it being used selectively. I don't think it fosters the enforcement you want."

Taylor said her background in academics and law means she always will do her homework on issues, adding "It's how I operate."

"I just come to the job with my own experiences and my own credentials," she said.

Staff writer Matthew Waite can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6247 or (800) 333-7505, extension 6247. His e-mail address is waite@sptimes.com.

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