TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Nicolette Says He Wants To Serve County

ADVERTISEMENT

By JULIA FERRANTE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 17, 2008

John Nicolette is challenging incumbent County Commissioner Ted Schrader in the Aug. 26 Republican primary. The winner faces write-in candidate John Taylor. The Tampa Tribune asked Nicolette why he thinks he should be elected and what his priorities would be.

Why Are You The Better Candidate?

Nicolette, a firefighter for 24 years in Tampa, said his public service gives him insight into what Pasco County residents need. His experience as treasurer of the Florida State Fair Authority has made him knowledgeable about finances.

"I had to prove myself that I could be an authority member who could provide something to the board," Nicolette said. "Twelve years later, I've been asked to control the budget and oversee it. When you're out there and being a public servant, I've seen a lot of quality of life issues. It kind of gives me a humbling from where I've been. I knew I had to be dedicated no matter what I did."

In addition to being a firefighter, Nicolette said he is a rancher and owned a jewelry store and pawn shop, and dealt with people from all walks of life, he said. He said Pasco needs to create more job opportunities for young people so they will return to the area.

"We need to raise our children to come back and take care of our parents," he said. "I want it to be a better place ... The county commission makes decisions that affect your quality of life. We have had good times in Pasco County. With good times, you expect to get something ... I want to serve the people."

Nicolette accused Schrader of taking advantage of his position as a commissioner to help his family develop land. Nicolette, who owns about 340 acres in Pasco, including his wife's family ranch, said he chose to buy property from a family member rather than investing in high-end Lake Jovita in east Pasco. He also bought a 40-acre property across the street from the ranch that has a defunct orange grove. The property is designated for houses.

"There's a big difference between someone who takes an old orange grove and puts four houses on it," he said. "I have never had to go out there and rezone a property."

Nicolette said commissioners have made decisions without using common sense.

"One of my most important attributes is that I'm a people person," Nicolette said. "I'll be here as long as it takes to listen. I'll weigh all the different facts."

Some have surmised that Nicolette is in league with John Taylor, a write-in candidate whose candidacy closed the August primary to Democrats and Independent voters. Nicolette denies any involvement.

"John Taylor's decision was a decision he made," he said. "I know him, but other than that, I believe he was a Democrat who changed parties. I think in a Republican primary, Republicans should pick their candidates, but in return, Democrats and Republicans can vote in the November election. What should truly happen is if people are upset with that legislative decision, people should change the law."

Economic Development

Schrader and other commissioners have made promises they haven't kept, Nicolette said, such as bringing jobs to Trilby and building and expanding roads in east Pasco.

"You need a leader who can take the bull and run with it," he said. "Pasco County has talked about doing a lot of things. Where are we on recycling? We are still talking about something that should have been put in place years ago."

Nicolette said the county needs to work to bring in high-paying jobs. He, like Schrader, supports setting aside money as incentives to lure such businesses.

"If a business is willing to come in and be committed, you have to be able to compete," he said. "We should look at the big picture of what these jobs will bring in in the future."

Nicolette said builders should focus on green building, and the county should streamline the building permit process.

Environmental Protection

Efforts to buy and preserve land in Pasco have been happening too slowly, Nicolette said. He supports land preservation efforts in Pasco as long as the public property is accessible to the public.

"If it's a park, it shouldn't have chains on it and be locked away," he said.

Nicolette supports purchase of the Cross Bar Ranch in central Pasco like Schrader but said the burden of buying the land should not fall on taxpayers.

"We need to learn to live within our means," he said.

He does not support efforts to expand a landfill in Dade City.

"I would not support anything that would hurt our environment. I would look at all the information," he said.

Construction Impact Fees

Impact fees are "hard but necessary," Nicolette said.

"If we are charging an impact fee, we should spend it on what it is intended for."

Nicolette said the county should not reduce impact fees, as some developers have asked, without serious consideration.

"We cannot make a decision that would cost us 10 times more down the road," Nicolette said. "I would propose studying it to see if it's what it's needed for."

Nicolette supports expediting projects that are in the works to stimulate the economy as Schrader does.

Cost-Cutting

Nicolette said he would work to make public meetings more accessible and change the schedule so that gatherings are at night when more people can attend and weigh in on issues such as the county budget.

"I would like to make our government more transparent in a way that regular citizens can get to it," he said.

Many items, Nicolette said, are hidden on a consent agenda, which usually is approved by one vote without much discussion. He cited a reservoir project in Land O' Lakes that was discussed in public, but contracts were approved through the consent agenda.

"As a commissioner, you should look at these multi-million dollar projects," he said.

Nicolette supported a constitutional amendment to offer greater tax breaks to homeowners. He said the commission needs to continue to "tighten the belt."

"In 2006, we went from an $800 million budget to a $1.2 billion budget. In return, our expenses went up, too," he said.

He said the commission should cut into reserves rather than saving for a rainy day.

"What you have to do is look at the budget and make sure you don't take away things from people who can't help themselves," he said.

AT A GLANCE

JOHN NICOLETTE

AGE: 46

EDUCATION: State-certified firefighter and emergency medical technician, attended additional classes in fire science at Hillsborough Community College.

FAMILY: Married, three children, two stepchildren.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Firefighter for 24 years in Tampa. Rancher for 16 years. Previously owned a jewelry and pawn shop for 23 years.

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None.

WEB SITE: www.johnnicolette.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT