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By JULIA FERRANTE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 16, 2008

Democrat Teresa "Terri" Conroy is running for the District 3 county commission nomination against Nicholas Planck in the Aug. 26 primary. The winner faces whomever prevails in the Republican primary contest between six-term incumbent Ann Hildebrand and two challengers.

The Tampa Tribune asked Conroy why she is the best candidate and how she would handle key issues facing Pasco.

Why Are You The Best Candidate?

A newspaper editor and former permit reviewer in the building industry, Conroy said her land development and building experience makes her the best candidate in the District 3 race.

"I've seen some of the mistakes that have been made," she said. "I'd like to really make this a great place to live. I don't think they commissioners have their priorities straight."

If elected, Conroy said she would build a better plan for Pasco County and do more to encourage building and development.

"There's a lot of room for improvement," she said. "We don't encourage new building here."

Conroy said commissioners are out of touch with how the county functions, and she would work to change that.

She supports efforts to improve public transportation. She recently started taking the bus and said, "It's not going well," noting limited schedules and circuitous routes.

Conroy suggested allowing advertising on public buses to help pay for transportation costs so service may be expanded.

She also backs efforts to create a light rail system.

"We've got to move forward. We've got to think ecologically," she said. "Pasco could be a really good center for renewable energy."

Conroy said the county has too many public parks and is "missing the boat" on other priorities.

"We have nothing for our children," she said.

She suggested a community convention center for children and seniors, offering cooking classes or other activities. She opposes plans to use tourist tax money to build a replica baseball stadium to attract tourists to Pasco.

"They want to build a replica stadium. For what?" she said.

Economic Development

Pasco is "in the Stone Age" when it comes to dealing with building and industry, Conroy said.

Builders and business owners are frustrated with how long it takes to get projects permitted. Conroy was in the building industry for several years before being laid off recently.

"We have a small-town mentality. It's backward, and they building industry officials are not happy with how things are," Conroy said. "If you go to another county, you can get your permit online. Not here.

"I have wasted three hours waiting to talk to someone. Their computers are not up-to-date. The fees are enormous for permitting, building and utilities."

Construction Impact Fees

Building impact fees, which are designed to make growth pay for itself, were increased recently. Conroy said the county should have done a better job of planning for growth.

"When the building industry was booming, why weren't the impact fees increased then?" she said. "No, they were done after the boom. ... They don't need to raise them. They can find other ways."

Pasco's government operations should be reduced "from the top of the pyramid, not the bottom up," Conroy said. She said she would examine county administration and consider scaling back management positions.

County officials pay too much for consultants and farm out work they could do themselves. County commissioners and the school board hired consultants to analyze construction impact fees to pay for new schools, for example. Conroy said that was not necessary.

"The commissioners should do our homework," she said. "I don't believe in outside consultation. The county uses too many consultants."

Like the incumbent in the race, Conroy did not support a constitutional amendment to give homeowners bigger tax breaks because, she said, it came at the expense of services. "I think it kind of backfired," she said.

Conroy would not cut back on patrol deputies, she said, because "we're short as we are."

Environmental Protection

Conroy said she "may consider" support for purchase of the Cross Bar Ranch in central Pasco, but she thinks the county should concentrate on building other amenities.

Cross Bar, which is owned by Pinellas County Utilities, encompasses a regional wellfield. Pinellas County wants to sell the property, which it purchased during the height of regional water wars, to generate revenue and expand its systems.

AT A GLANCE

NAME: Teresa "Terri" Conroy

AGE: 49

EDUCATION: High school graduate

FAMILY: Divorced, two children

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Vice president, Bay Area Tradewinds. Worked as a permit reviewer for six years for Lexington Homes before being laid off in December.

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

WEB SITE: www.terriconroy .com

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