TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Commission Poised To Name Attorney

ADVERTISEMENT

By JULIA FERRANTE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Commissioners on Tuesday are expected to name a new county attorney to replace Robert Sumner, who plans to retire at the end of the year.

Four candidates remain in the race for Pasco's top legal post, including Chief Assistant County Attorney Barbara Wilhite and Land O' Lakes lawyer Tim Hayes. The board is to consider the matter at a meeting starting at 10 a.m. at the West Pasco Government Center, 7530 Little Road.

Commissioners Michael Cox and Jack Mariano last week pushed their colleagues to choose Hayes, saying he knows the local landscape and has experience in litigation. Other commissioners had concerns that Hayes has been put forward as 'the developers' candidate' and as someone who would dismiss assistant county attorneys who have taken a hard line on development.

Hayes has vehemently denied the allegations.
Commissioner Ted Schra- der strongly supported Wilhite and another candidate, Jeffrey Steinsnyder, a former assistant county attorney in Manatee County who is in private practice. He received lukewarm support from Chairwoman Ann Hildebrand and Commissioner Pat Mulieri, both of whom put Wilhite within their top three candidates.

All commissioners put on their lists a fourth candidate, Douglas Wyckoff, who has held numerous municipal attorney positions throughout Florida and currently lives in Defuniack Springs in the Panhandle. However, the commissioners are concerned that Wyckoff might not stay long in Pasco because of his history of holding jobs for a year or two.

Schrader said after the workshop that he preferred Steinsnyder because of his extensive experience in local government and his glowing recommendations.

Wyckoff was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol several years ago.

Personnel Director Barbara De Simone said that county officials do not preclude those who have been convicted of DUI.

'The first thing we look at is whether someone is honest,' she said. 'If they didn't say anything and we found a DUI in a background check, that's it. Then we look at how much driving a person does, such as if they drive an ambulance or a county vehicle. We have an unwritten rule about how long ago it was and of course if there is more than one.'

Also Tuesday, commissioners are to consider their first vested rights claim under a new ordinance. Gulf Landings received county approval in 1977 for multifamily and single-family houses and a commercial center in a coastal area where development now is limited.

Wilhite is recommending the vested rights be granted so the property owners may proceed with their plans with some conditions.

Commissioners also are to consider adding the 12,500-acre Cross Bar Ranch to their acquisition list. Pinellas County purchased the property years ago for a wellfield during the regional water wars. Water now is distributed according to a regional agreement, so Pinellas officials say they no longer need to own the land.

Reporter Julia Ferrante can be reached at (813) 948-4220 or jferrante@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT