Say cheese
Alyssa Pumo poses with Gov. Rick Scott during a campaign stop at Benedetto’s at Village Lakes Shopping Center in Land O’ Lakes recently. Scott is running against Charlie Crist in the Nov. 4 general election.
Paula O’Neil endorses Mike Moore
Pasco County’s clerk and comptroller has made her choice on who she would like to work with on the Pasco County Commission the next four years.
Paula O’Neil endorsed Mike Moore, the Republican candidate for the seat that will be vacated by the retiring Pat Mulieri.
“Mike Moore is committed to creating a brighter future for Pasco County,” O’Neil said in a release. “Mike is a family man, and an entrepreneur who knows what it takes to grow a business from the ground up in today’s economy. Mike’s experience, combined with his involvement in our community, has prepared him well for the Pasco County Commission.”
Moore faces Democrat Erika Remsberg in November.
Bondi to make statewide campaign address
Informal groups of women will meet statewide Oct. 9 to hear state attorney general Pam Bondi. One of those gatherings will take place at Copperstone Executive Suites, 2632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
Beginning at 6 p.m., and using webcast technology, Bondi — who is seeking re-election to the state’s highest law-enforcement office — women will have a chance to hear Bondi’s take on issues she says is most important to women in the election cycle.
Those issues include the economy, public safety, health care and education.
Bondi faces a challenge from Democrat George Sheldon in the November election.
Women who wish to participate locally can call (813) 996-3011.
Starkey to speak at Republican club
Pasco County commissioner Kathryn Starkey will be the guest speaker at the Wesley Chapel Republican Club, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m., at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel, 27000 Wesley Chapel Blvd.
For information, call Mike Moore at (813) 777-6171, or at .
Kenyon new communications acting director
The Pasco County Public Safety Communications department has selected Jody Kenyon as its acting director, replacing Dona Fernandes, who resigned Sept. 25.
Kenyon was the technical support manager in the communications center, and has worked as the acting director in the past.
The center last year consolidated its efforts with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and Pasco Fire Rescue, which Fernandes put in charge of the transition beginning in August 2013.
Officials did not provide a status on its search for a permanent director.
Natural gas growing, senator says
Sen. Wilton Simpson says legislation he introduced last year creating a natural gas vehicle incentive has since produced 1,820 jobs and $68 million in wages throughout the state.
“This fuel provides significant budget savings to governmental entities, the business would and our citizens,” the Trilby Republican said, in a release.
Simpson called natural gas a “game changer” for both the state and the country, “not only for motor vehicles, but for the energy sector, commercial businesses, and the manufacturing industry.”
Before his bill, Simpson said there were 18 compressed natural gas stations in Florida. Now there are 61, with another 29 planned — a 238 percent increase over that period.
A CNG station costs an average of $1.5 million, according to a report by the Florida Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, meaning the investment into CNG station infrastructure has been $91.5 million over the past two years.
Since Jan. 1, Florida has spent $4.7 million in rebates issued under the program. Using methodology employed by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, that investment has generated a total economic output of $204.5 million.
To read more of the study, visit FuelForJobs.com.
Candidate forum in Dade City
The Greater Dade City and Greater Zephyrhills chambers of commerce are joining forces to host a candidate forum Oct. 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road, in Dade City.
The public is invited to submit questions to the moderators for consideration, and will include a variety of candidates up for election on Nov. 4.
