Name: Ronald E. Oakley
Age: 66
Residence: Zephyrhills
Occupation: citrus owner and dealer
Political affiliation: Republican
Political experience: chairman of the board for the Southwest Florida Water Management District
Office being sought: Pasco County Commissioner District 1
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for this office because I am tired of the same old, same old. We need CHANGE. We need leaders more concerned about creating jobs than protecting their own. I have lived in Pasco County my whole life. I am a father, grandfather and businessman. I hired folks, made payroll and created jobs. I can make a difference in Pasco County government.
What are your top three priorities?
Taxes – It is imperative we stimulate the local economy by reducing the taxes on citizens and businesses. It is time we quit putting the tax burden on the citizens of Pasco. The Penny for Pasco sales tax helps do just that by distributing the burden equally to all citizens because it is based upon purchases throughout the county. Also, the rollback rate keeps commissioners from making good decisions on cutting taxes.
County leadership – Mr. Gallagher will be retiring soon and I believe a nationwide search should be undertaken for a new county administrator with experience in a county with a population 750,000 to 1,000,000. We are at approximately 470,000 people and are growing. In addition, it is imperative that Mr. Gallagher’s successor has outstanding people skills.
Mobility fees – I do not understand the reasoning behind replacing impact fees with mobility fees, which don’t cover the entire cost of infrastructure.
Why should voters choose you?
Voters should choose me because I am the right choice for Pasco County citizens. As a lifelong resident, I am aware of the issues facing this county. I listen, gather the facts and ask questions, then make an educated decision and take action. I am connected to the people of this county and can improve the way our hard earned money is used to support our government.
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
I have over 40 years of business experience and an accounting degree from Carson-Newman College. I have successfully owned and operated varied businesses including citrus caretaking, harvesting and marketing, cemetery and funeral home, liquid food transportation, real estate and cattle ranching. The past four years, I represented the people of Pasco at the Southwest Florida Water Management District Board. The last year, I served as the chairman. During my tenure on the board, we worked as a cohesive unit and reduced the budget by 58 percent, resulting in a millage reduction of 43 percent. We reduced the number of employees through attrition, by 8.6 percent. My combined business and professional experience has prepared me to represent Pasco County citizens as a custodian of their trust and tax dollars.
Name: Rachel O’Connor
Age: 27
Residence: Zephyrhills
Occupation: no response given
Political affiliation: Republican
Political experience: regional field representative for the Republican Party of Florida, Republican Executive Committee Member
Office being sought: Pasco County Commissioner District 1
Why are you running for this office?
I have lived in the county for almost 20 years and have seen the same status quo mode of operation and mainly the same individuals in office. Pasco is facing many challenges and we cannot accept status quo. It’s time for new leadership. It’s time for a new approach. The good ole boy system doesn’t work. The only agenda the good ole boys have is their own. It is time to elect officials whose only agenda is serving the people of Pasco. We cannot continue to elect the same individuals, or the same type of individuals, and expect different results.
What are your top three priorities?
Establish A Long Term Vision. We must formulate a vision for Pasco will serve as a guide for the investment of infrastructure and in tourism.
Demand Fiscal Responsibility. Our county is a microcosm of our federal government- it is full of wasteful spending and special interests. While the economy continues to nosedive and our citizens continue to struggle, our county budget grows. We have underfunded our fire rescue, the sheriff’s office and parks and pools, while spending frivolously in other areas.
Make Pasco A Place Where People Want To Do Business. We need to create an environment that is conducive to business growth. Traditionally Pasco has had the highest impact fees in the region. Business owners and commercial builders consistently express frustration with the County’s permitting process and murky regulation. It is imperative that Pasco looks to create competitive and reliable impact fees, straightforward regulation, and a streamlined permitting process.
Why should voters choose you?
What differentiates me the most from my opponents is my ability to serve only the people. Both of my opponents are the owners or agents of anywhere from 10-20 businesses. Putting in the hours at this quantity of businesses or interests does not leave ample time for an individual to dedicate the time and effort that Pasco county taxpayers deserve. Both are the owners and agents of land development and realty corporations. Considering one of the roles of a county commissioner is guide the planning and growth management, their ownership of such businesses is a serious conflict of interest.
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
There are several reasons why I am more prepared than my opponents to lead Pasco in a new direction. I am equipped with a strong education, earning a Master’s degree in International relations and a Bachelor’s in Political Science. My experience as an employee of the Republican Party of Florida afforded me with the opportunity to manage a five county region of Republican Party of Florida offices, contracts, leases, and coordinated hundreds of volunteers. Most importantly, I had the opportunity of working with legislators, senators, and cabinet members. Not only do I have the education and experience that has prepared me for serving the public as a county commissioner, but I am the only candidate that is willing and able to be solely committed to serving Pasco County residents, put in fulltime hours and have no conflict of interests.
