MacManus to speak at Republican Club
The Republican Club of Central Pasco will host University of South Florida professor and political analyst Susan MacManus June 25 at 6:30 p.m., at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
MacManus is a Land O’ Lakes native, and has written two books on the history of the area, including “Citrus, Sawmills, Critters & Crackers” in 1998, and “Going, Going, Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories” in 2010.
For information, call Steve Graves at (813) 996-3011.
Remsberg qualifies, picks up endorsement
Erika Remsberg, a Land O’ Lakes resident seeking to replace the retiring Pasco County commissioner Pat Mulieri, has picked up an endorsement from the West Central Florida Federation of Labor.
That endorsement came soon after she officially qualified as the only Democratic candidate for the seat. Remsberg says her experience as a social worker has provided extensive knowledge of the problems suffered by families in the community.
“I seek to provide a voice for our community’s working families on the commission,” Remsberg said in a release. “My perspective as a working mom and community advocate puts me in a unique position to represent the voice of the people who live in Pasco.”
Remsberg has raised just $553 so far in her campaign, including nothing in May. Unless any other Democrats enter the race, she will not have a primary, and will face off against the winner of the Republican primary that currently involves former state Rep. Ken Littlefield, entrepreneur Mike Moore and financial analyst Bob Robertson.
Moore has raised more than all his competitors — more than $80,500 — including $7,650 in May. His top donors include Royal Investments and SB General Partners, both operating from the same location in Tampa, each writing $1,000 checks.
Robertson raised $953 in May, bringing his total to just under $12,400. However, $600 of the money raised came from outside Florida, most of it through a $500 donation from a case manager in Pennsylvania.
Littlefield picked up $600 in May, $100 of it from a Trinity donor, and the rest as a loan to himself. Littlefield has now loaned his campaign $1,500.
Moore, Littlefield and Robertson will battle it out in a primary Aug. 26, with the winner facing off with Remsberg in November, if no one else files to run.
Chambers get together to host forums
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host two forums to introduce members to candidates facing off in primary and general elections.
The first forum takes place Aug. 4 beginning at 7 p.m., at East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road in Dade City. That event will include candidates ranging from the state House to the Mosquito Control Board.
The second event will be Oct. 20 beginning at 7 p.m., in the same location, once again including the same races.
The chambers will provide two moderators to ask questions. Candidates also will have a chance to set up tables and meet voters beginning each night at 6 p.m.
Wilson experiences county work first-hand
Pasco County commissioner Henry Wilson, who is defending his seat against political newcomer Mike Wells Jr., spent 24 hours shadowing fire rescue workers at Pasco Fire Station No. 11.
“It was an eye-opening experience,” Wilson said, in a release.
It’s all part of Wilson’s work since being elected in 2010 to experience different offices first-hand.
“Working in each of the departments has been very beneficial,” he said. “I believe it has helped me make a more informed decision when it comes budget time.”
Wilson, however, is well behind Wells when it comes to fundraising. Wilson had his best month since January when he raised $4,715 in May. His biggest donors were real estate-related companies where NISSI Inc., Trinity Club Apartments and Forty Nine Acres of Tarpon Springs each donated $1,000.
Wells, however, topped his first big month of campaign donations with a bigger one. The son of Pasco County property appraiser Mike Wells Sr., picked up just under $25,000 in May, bringing his two-month campaign war chest to almost $45,600.
Wells received a number of $1,000 checks from developers as well, including Forty Nine Acres, NISSI and Trinity Club Apartments. Nearly $7,000 of his donations came from outside Pasco County, however.
Unless a Democrat or other type of candidate enters the race, Wells’ and Wilson’s race could be decided in an open primary Aug. 26.
Clay shoot for Mike Moore
Mike Moore is looking to raise more money for his Pasco County Commission campaign with a clay shoot June 21.
It will take place at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays, 10514 Ehren Cutoff in Land O’ Lakes, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. The cost would be $125 per person, or $500 per team of four. All payments would be considered political donations.
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.
