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Forum Eyes The Environment

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By TONY MARRERO

lmarrero@hernandotoday.com

Published: October 15, 2008

ARIPEKA - Voters with an environmental bent will get the chance to see where county commission candidates stand today.

The Gulf Coast Conservancy will host a candidate forum at 7 p.m. at the Aripeka Community Club, 1393 Osowaw Blvd. The club is two miles west of U.S. 19.

The forum will feature candidates running for Pasco and Hernando county commissions. All 10 of the candidates - six from Hernando, four from Pasco - plan to attend, said Leslie Neumann, a Gulf Coast Conservancy member and Aripeka resident organizing the event.

Pasco's candidates are Republican incumbent Ann Hildebrand and Democrat Terri Conroy in District 3, and Republican incumbent Jack Mariano and Democrat Ginny Miller in District 5.

The conservancy, as a nonprofit organization, cannot endorse a candidate.

But it can pose questions to candidates to help members and like-minded voters make an informed choice, Neumann said. The forum has helped do that in past years, she said.

"It can be very revealing, which is what we're after," Neumann said.

The candidates will be asked to explain their philosophy on growth issues, especially on the process to alter Hernando County's comprehensive land use map, Neumann said. The conservancy also hopes to vet candidates' stances on water supply and water quality issues and efforts to acquire more conservation land.

Candidates won't have an excuse not to be prepared. The conservancy sent its questions in advance.

"We're not interested in 'gotcha,' we're interested in getting substance," Neumann said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: County commission candidate forum focusing on environmental issues, hosted by the Gulf Coast Conservancy

WHEN: 7 p.m. today

WHERE: Aripeka Community Club, 1393 Osowaw Blvd.

CONTACT: Leslie Neumann, (727) 869-3229

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286.

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