Wells challenges Wilson for commission seat
Mike Wells Jr. has a name that is quite familiar to Pasco County residents, thanks to his father, longtime property appraiser Mike Wells Sr.
And now the younger Wells wants to make a name of his own by challenging Pasco County Commissioner Henry Wilson in the Republican primary. In making the announcement, Wells doesn’t share a lot about his platform, except that he knows being a commissioner “demands hard work as well as leadership skills attuned to citizens’ needs.”
“With the blessing of my family and friends, I am committing myself to do all that is necessary to run a positive and informative campaign,” Wells said, in a release. “For most of my life, I have seen government at work. I am now ready to participate in the democratic process by doing what it takes to earn the job of representing the citizens of District 4.”
Wells will have to start by raising money, and lots of it. Wilson, who was first elected in 2010, already has a running start with more than $17,000 raised and at least $16,000 in the bank, according to election records, through the end of February. Wilson’s biggest month was in January when he hauled in $8,735, at least half of it coming from builders and developers.
Wells’ father served on the county commission himself in the 1980s, and was elected the county’s property appraiser in 1996. The younger Wells said he’s been active in political campaigns since he was 12, and has worked in both sales and management for Enterprise Rent-A-Car for 17 years.
Primary elections are set for Aug. 26.
Health care group supports Ross
Healthcare Leadership Council has named U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, a “Champion of Health Care Innovation.”
The advocacy group is a collection of chief executives from various companies in the health care field. It said Ross was dedicated to new developments in health care technologies, treatments and practices.
“Innovation is a necessity, not an option, in addressing the challenges facing our health care system,” said HLC president Mary Grealy, in a release. “We applaud Rep. Ross’ leadership, dedication and vision in advancing the quality and cost-effectiveness of American health care.”
Ross is set to face Democrat Alan Cohn in the November general election.
Poll workers needed for August, November elections
Energetic? Service-oriented? Then the Pasco County supervisor of elections may be looking for you.
Poll workers are needed for both the primary election Aug. 26 and the general election Nov. 4. Positions are paid, but potential candidates will need to be able to stand, bend, stoop, lift approximately 30 pounds, and have normal vision and manual and physical dexterity.
Applicants also need to write and read English, have an email address, and be able to work the entire day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
All positions receive mandatory paid training the month preceding both the primary and general elections.
For information, call (800) 851-8754, or visit PascoVotes.com.
Ross wants to curb federal unions
U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, is once again going after federal employees who spend work time conducting union business, asking the Personnel Management director in Washington for a report on such practices.
“Since taxpayers pay the salary of all federal employee, they have a right to know how much of their money is used for conducting union business while on the clock,” Ross said in a release. “We are more than $17 trillion in debt. I believe in fair representation. However, we must ensure that we are spending the people’s hard-earned money wisely.”
Federal employees spent roughly 3.4 million hours doing union work in 2012, according to Ross. Those lost hours cost $155 million.
Groups like the National Federation of Federal Employees disagree, however. They say that federal unions exist solely to “address crucial workplace issues and defend employees from adverse actions.”
If such meetings were moved to nights or weekends, it would still require managers and such, who would then have to be paid for additional time.
Ross is so far facing Democrat Alan Cohn.
Burgess, Diaz to speak at Republican club
Republican Florida House candidates Danny Burgess and Minnie Diaz are set to speak at the Wesley Chapel Republican Club April 10 beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Wesley Chapel Hyundai, 27000 Wesley Chapel Blvd.
For information, email Mike Moore at .
U.S. Chamber endorses Ross
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce officially endorsed U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, and thanked him for his support of free enterprise and job creation.
“Too many of our neighbors are still unemployed and left suffering by our stagnant economy,” Ross said in a release. “I’m committed to continuing the fight to get the federal government out of the way of business owners so they can create jobs and we can unleash the power of the American economy.”
Ross is set to face Democratic challenger Alan Cohn in November.
