The Laker/Lutz News

League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County

Forum explores economic security in Pasco County

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The Pasco unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County recently hosted a webinar aimed at raising awareness about the “Economic Security in Pasco County during the COVID Outbreak.”

Panelists provided a look into Pasco County’s and the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.’s response to those struggling individuals and businesses — due to COVID-19.

The panelists also discussed ongoing programs aimed at helping people keep a roof over their heads, helping the homeless secure housing; and helping people develop skills to lead to higher-paying jobs.

Chris Conn, voter services chair of the league’s Pasco unit moderated the session, which featured Marcy Esbjerg, director of Pasco County’s community development department; Brian Hoben, community services director in Pasco County; Don Anderson, CEO of the Pasco Homeless Coalition; and Mike Bishop, director of stakeholder engagement at the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

Besides discussing specific programs, the speakers fielded questions. One related to a perception by some that people receiving help might not truly need it, or are duping the system.

Esbjerg responded: “We need to be the voice for people who don’t have a voice. So many of our vulnerable citizens do not have a forum to have a voice.

“Let’s look at what the public narrative is. The public narrative is very quick to share about the people who have gamed the system. The people that are taking PPP (federal paycheck protection program) money, and buying Lamborghinis and yachts; the people that forged Publix memos so that they could get their rent paid — all of those kind of things.

“So, why are we not sharing the real need? The real true need of people? Why don’t they get as much time, if not more?

“The most important thing that we (program administrators) can do is make sure that we deliver our services effectively, efficiently and equitably — and we make sure they’re getting out to the right people, and the people that really need it,” Esbjerg said.

When it comes to ensuring an adequate supply of workforce housing and housing for the homeless, the government needs to intervene and subsidize, Esbjerg said.

It needs to encourage the development of workforce housing, she said. It also needs to help homeless people transition into stable housing.

A community needs a balance in its housing inventory, she said.

“Right now, Pasco County has a high percentage of single-family owner-occupied housing, it’s like 72% to 28% rental housing. That’s not balanced,” she said.

“Rental housing doesn’t just affect low-income people. It affects seniors downsizing. It affects millennials who saw their parents get burned by the housing market and they’re not willing to become new homeowners, at this point,” she said.

“We want a community that takes care of all members of the community,” she said, and that means having housing for those transitioning out of homelessness to market-rate million dollar homes, and everything in between.

Recognizing real need
Bishop observed that there are real needs in the community and they must be recognized.

“Big buildings and equipment are great in business, but that’s not what makes business happen. It’s the people. We need to take care of our people, and understand that people that have challenges need assistance, and that’s a real thing.

“We went through a very rough time. We’re still going through that right now. We’re all together. Divisiveness needs to stop,” he said.

Anderson said exposure to the struggle helps to build empathy.

“I think putting a face on homelessness, or those that are disenfranchised, is the best thing we can do. I think it leads to compassion and understanding,” he said.

Hoben and Esbjerg said the county is administering programs that provide rental assistance, utility assistance, housing rehab and property tax assistance. Details about those programs are available on the county’s website.

In Pasco, Esbjerg said, housing costs are not the problem. Low wages are the big issue, she said.

“There are so many families that are cost-burdened, that are spending more than 30% of their income on housing,” she said.

Efforts are being made to improve that picture, Bishop said. The Pasco EDC and the county work to recruit companies that offer higher wages, he said. Plus, there are training programs, such as AMSkills, that aim to equip workers for better-paying jobs.

Anderson told listeners about the ALICE Report. The acronym stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

These are the people who don’t own property or have other assets, he said. They are working, but have little income.

Their housing requires a large percentage of their income — making them vulnerable to becoming homeless, he said.

“If there’s any silver lining to the COVID pandemic, it’s the monies that are coming down that allow us to address homelessness,” Anderson said.

Right now, Pasco is focused on a Housing Surge.

“The county commissioners, via community development and Marcy and her team, allotted the coalition $3.8 million over two years, to house 225 households in a span of months,” Anderson said.

The downside is the lack of available rental units.

To combat the lack of rental units, Anderson said, “We’ve asked the community, when you see a ‘For Rent’ sign, whether it’s a room, an apartment, a trailer, a house — we want you to take a picture with your cellphone, and we want you to send it to .”

Esbjerg believes the Housing Surge’s success will boost the overall quality of life in Pasco County.

“All too often we connect economic prosperity, or stability, with higher-paying jobs and more money,” she said.

But, she argues that stability of housing is critical to improving the overall quality of life.

When people have a home, she said, “they’re able to engage in the community and shop at the local stores, and things like that.”

Housing 30% of the county’s homeless will have a significant impact, she said.

“I think will be transformative for our community, for the individuals that experience it, and for quality of life as a whole — which will extend to positive economic outcomes for the entire community.

“You’ll be able to see the difference in our community,” Esbjerg predicted.

Need help?
Check these resources:

  • Pasco County: PascoCountyFl.net (Click on specific departments), or call Community Development, 727-834-3450; Community Services, 727-834-3287
  • The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County: PascoHomelessCoalition.org, 727-842-8605
  • Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.: PascoEDC.com, 813-926-0827

Published March 24, 2021

Political Agenda 09/23/2020

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Candidate forums set for Pasco candidates
The Pasco County NAACP is hosting two Zoom candidate forums to help voters become more educated before the Nov. 3 general election.

The forums will be conducted via Zoom on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30, and will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., each night. Registration is required.

The Sept. 29 forum will feature candidates for U.S. House District 12, Florida Senate District 20 and Florida House Districts 36, 37 and 38. The link to register is tinyurl.com/y6ro5xwa.

The Sept. 30 forum will feature candidates for Pasco County Superintendent of Schools and Pasco County Commission District 3 and District 5. The link to register is tinyurl.com/y5gc3xkg.

Candidates who have agreed to participate include: Kimberly Walker, U.S. House District 12; Kathy Lewis, Florida Senate District 20 Special Election; Dan Endonino, Florida House District 36; Tammy Garcia, Florida House District 37; Brian Staver, Florida House District 38; Kurt Browning and Cynthia Thompson, Superintendent of Schools; Jessica Stempien, County Commission District 3; Brandi Geoit, Jack Mariano and Victor Rodriguez, County Commission District 5.

The Pasco County NAACP and the Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County worked together to send invitations to all candidates in the Pasco County General Elections.

The Pasco NAACP is taking the candidate forums forward. The Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters is unable to co-host because of a national league policy that requires at least two candidates in each election race participate in the forums.

For more information, email Clyde Carter, president of the Pasco NAACP, at .

Sheriffs endorse Danny Burgess
Danny Burgess, a candidate for Florida Senate District 20, has been endorsed by Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, according to a release from Burgess’ campaign.

Simpson endorses Maggard
Wilton Simpson, who is set to become president of the Florida Senate, has endorsed Randy Maggard in the race for State House District 38, according to a release from Maggard’s campaign.

Torres endorses Kathy Lewis
Florida State Sen. Victor “Vic” M. Torres Jr., has endorsed Kathy Lewis in the Florida State Senate District 20 race, according to a release from the Lewis campaign.

Pasco calls for civil campaign behavior

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The Pasco County Commission has amended its Ethical Campaign Practices Act to encourage civility among candidates.

Commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 21 to support changes suggested by Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley.

Corley said the changes incorporate “language that speaks to civility in the public discourse for candidates running for office within Pasco County.

Pasco Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley asked Pasco County commissioners to update the Ethical Campaign Practices Act, to encourage civility among candidates and to discourage misinformation through social media. (File)

“In essence, this ordinance is a plea for civility, if you will, amongst those running for office in our great county,” Corley said, noting the changes update an ordinance initially adopted in 2006.

Corley noted: “It’s not solely my request, but more importantly, rather something the voters not only want but deserve, and have asked for many times to me, personally.

“Many  voters have relayed that they tire of the toxicity and lack of decorum among campaigns and candidates. So, that’s what’s the driving force is behind this.”

Agreeing to abide by the Pasco Ethical Campaign Practices Act is voluntary, but Corley said over the years hundreds of candidates have signed it. He’s not aware of any who refused.

The changes approved by commissioners ask candidates to:

  • Conduct campaigns openly, publicly discuss issues and avoid criticisms of a personal nature against opponents
  • Prohibit unethical practices which undermine the system of fair elections
  • Listen respectfully to those with opposing viewpoints and avoid language that is insulting or inappropriate
  • Abide by any ordinance or property restriction relating to the placement or posting of campaign signage
  • Run a positive campaign, emphasizing qualifications and positions on issues of public concerns and limit criticism of opponent to legitimate challenges to that person’s record, qualifications and positions
  • Refrain from the use of campaign material either in print or by electronic means through social media that falsifies, distorts or misrepresents facts

Also, there’s a new provision aimed at ensuring that amplified devices are not used to attempt to solicit votes, as voters enter polling places.

The restriction on amplified devices, Corley said, “stems from 2016, where we had voters complain they had to endure a certain campaign using a bullhorn. It was rather disruptive. They were annoyed at it, and nothing could be done.”

The reference to social media is a needed update, too, Corley said. “Remember, there was no Twitter or Facebook in 2006.”

Earlier in the meeting, Randy Evans, state committeeman for the Republican Party of Pasco County, voiced opposition to the changes proposed by Corley.

“This ordinance contradicts the Republican Party’s platform, and it is unenforceable,” Evans said. “It is a waste of time and not worth the paper it is written on.

“Every candidate for public office should be civil towards everyone, not just an opposing candidate. If a candidate feels another candidate is being uncivil, they can walk away, they can call the Sheriff’s Office, or, if necessary, exercise their Second Amendment and stand their ground,” he said.

He cited a portion of the Republican Party Platform, which says: “We oppose any restrictions or conditions that would discourage citizens from participating in the public square or limit their ability to promote their ideas, such as requiring private organizations to publicly disclose their donors to the government. Limits on political speech serve only to protect the powerful and insulate incumbent office holders.”

Evans posed this question to commissioners: “Instead of wasting time on this unenforceable ordinance, and restricting free speech, why not pass an ordinance making Pasco a sanctuary county for the First Amendment and the Second Amendment?”

Commissioner Jack Mariano asked for Corley to react to Evans’ remarks.

Corley responded: “Mr. Evans didn’t reach out to me, so I didn’t have any discussions with him. I kind of wish I had, to be honest with you.

“You’re either for civility or you’re not for civility with this ordinance. It can’t be one or the other.

“The ordinance is asking all candidates to be civil. This is above partisanship, clearly,” Corley said.

Corley continued:  “While it does not prevent a candidate from being less than truthful, or being nasty during their campaign, it is my hope that each candidate going forward would spend their energy and resources running a positive campaign, and join us in the goal of restoring and maintaining civility in the public discourse.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey offered this reaction: “I would just say I have no objections to sign anything that says civility and good behavior should be in order.”

She also said she’s glad the amended ordinance addresses the issue of amplified devices because that was a problem before and could not be addressed.

Starkey added: “It doesn’t inhibit anyone’s free speech. I wouldn’t want to do that.”

Corley: “It’s a plea. Voters are tired of negativity.”

Christine Bright, chair of the Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, backed the changes recommended by Corley.

“I just wanted to stand here today and say that the members of the Leagues strongly support ordinances which promote civility in our political campaigns.

“We’re very concerned about the erosion of civility,” Bright said.

Published January 29, 2020