If you’ve lived in Pasco County for a while, chances are you’ve heard Wilton Simpson’s name.
He’s the guy who grew up In Trilby, played football at Pasco High and went on to become president of the Florida Senate and is now Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture.
The Pasco County Commission recently cast a spotlight on Simpson, to thank him for his continuing contributions to improve the quality of life both in Pasco County and around the state.
Simpson has used his influence to help bring state funding for needed infrastructure and health care projects in Pasco County and he has supported a number of programs such as PACE Center for Girls, Habitat for Humanity, and CARES, which stands for Community Aging and Retirement Services.
In fact, Simpson donated 1.7 acres of land in Dade City for a new 6,000-square-foot CARES Center there.
He and his wife, Kathy, founded the Simpson Breast Health Center, which is at AdventHealth Zephyrhills, and is led by an independent team of board-certified physicians, according to the county board’s resolution.
Simpson was singled out when ground was being broken for SperosFL, which is the Moffitt Cancer Center’s Pasco Campus.
In acknowledgement of his advocacy for Moffitt and for scientific research, in general, the first 75 acres of Moffitt’s Pasco campus will be called the W.E. Simpson Concourse for Cures, and the road leading into it will be known as Wilton Way.
Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, who sponsored the resolution, told Simpson: “You don’t look old enough to have done all of these things.
“Really, you’ve done a great job.”
Oakley also freely expressed his affection and respect for Simpson.
“Wilton, I cherish your friendship. I love and care for your family, as if they were mine.
“I just can’t say enough for all of the things you’ve done for Pasco County and I certainly want to thank you for every little bit.”
At the same time, Oakley said he thinks that Simpson will continue to do great things to benefit the people he serves.
“We have greater expectations for you in the future,” Oakley said.
Oakley’s board colleagues also expressed their appreciation for Simpson’s efforts.
Commissioner Seth Weightman put it this way: “It’s amazing to see the work that you’ve done and to see how it’s going to carry on to another generation.
Board colleague Kathryn Starkey added: “When we had some others in the Senate that were reluctant to file for appropriations, we can always count on Senator Simpson, and now (Agriculture) Commissioner Simpson. He carried a lot for us that I think a lot of people in this county don’t realize.
“You saw what our needs are here, in the county, and they’re big. All of your help that you gave us during that time is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”
Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa also weighed in: “From an administrator’s perspective, your team and yourself are just fantastic to work with. I really appreciate all of the support you’ve given to the county. You’ve really helped us get a lot of things done.
“It’s just been a phenomenal partnership, so we thank you for all of it.”
Commission Chairman Jack Mariano praised Simpson’s ability to make things happen.
“I want to say, commissioner, that you’ve been the most impactful elected official that Pasco County has ever had,” Mariano said, adding that Simpson’s overall thinking benefits the entire state.
In accepting the board’s honor, Simpson expressed appreciation for their tribute and also thanked his family, who accompanied him to the meeting, for their support.
Simpson told the commissioners: “It was such an honor to serve the last 10 years in the Florida Senate and to be the Senate President during the pandemic, and keeping Florida open and getting our kids back in school and making sure our businesses were able to run and operate.”
He said he’s pleased with the work that has been done to ensure protection for the state’s wildlife and agricultural interests through the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
“It was one of my major priorities that we had, you know, in my last two years as president,” he said.
Simpson is also pleased by the opportunity to serve in his current role.
“To be elected Commissioner of Agriculture is clearly an honor of a lifetime,” Simpson said.
“Two weeks ago, in our Cabinet meeting, we approved almost $70 million — almost 40,000 acres of land to be preserved in the state of Florida. In this year’s budget, there’s over $30 million to preserve 1,000 acres of land in the Wesley Chapel area.”
He’s excited about the potential of Moffitt’s Pasco campus.
“Moffitt is going to revolutionize cancer care in the world. The research facility that they’re building — not only will bring thousands of jobs to our area of the state, but the world will travel to the Tampa Bay area, now, to receive care,” he said.
He said he knows people are already traveling here, but he expects more to do so as Pasco’s new project comes online.
He doesn’t expect that to be too long down the road, either.
“In two or three years, I think, we’ll have some of the first buildings open,” he said.
His focus now is on “making sure our food supply remains robust, in the country, but in this state, in particular.
“As Ag Commissioner, it’s all about safe, affordable, abundant food,” Simpson said.
Published June 14, 2023
