Mulieri in Pasco GOP primary

The Republican Party primary in Pasco County Commission District 2, which covers a large swath of the central part of the county, is an intriguing matchup between two veteran politicians who have called Pasco home for three decades.

Pat Mulieri, 72, of Kent Grove is a former community activist who was elected in 1994 and is now seeking a fifth term. Ken Littlefield, 66, of Wesley Chapel spent seven years in the state House of Representatives and then a very brief time on the Public Service Commission before being named executive director of the Florida Statewide Advocacy Council. The council works to protect the rights of residents receiving social and other state services.

The winner of the Aug. 24 primary faces Clay G. Colson, a Land O' Lakes activist running with no party affiliation.

District 2, which includes the Land O' Lakes and Wesley Chapel areas, contains more than its share of badly planned growth, both residential and commercial. The results have been overcrowded schools and congested roads. Mulieri isn't solely to blame, of course, but she has contributed to some of the problems.

For several years Mulieri was the lone vote against irresponsible growth, but in the last five years or so she has become complacent and been less of a strong advocate for responsible growth. Still, the county and state are extending and widening stressed roads, and Mulieri and other county officials are finally implementing economic strategies to lure businesses and industry, and create employment centers - a much-needed change.

Mulieri, a retired college professor with a doctorate in higher education, believes the county has finally turned a corner. Her contacts, attention to detail, knowledge of county government and eagerness to meet with residents and groups are important assets in a county where residents too often take a backseat to developers.

Littlefield's resume suggests a candidate who would make an outstanding commissioner, but it's misleading. He didn't leave a distinguishable mark on the Legislature despite participating in eight sessions. And although Gov. Jeb Bush appointed him to the PSC late in Bush's final term, Littlefield's stint only lasted 11 days when new Gov. Charlie Crist decided to appoint someone else.

Crist then named Littlefield to head the advocacy council, from which he stepped down June 30.

Littlefield, who also has run a small business, wants to make Pasco an "incubator" to attract industry and other companies through tax breaks and other incentives. He points to health care as a "great opportunity."

A case could be made that a fresh voice is needed for District 2, but Littlefield isn't the right candidate. Overall, Mulieri has been a good commissioner. She seems reinvigorated about bringing new job opportunities to Pasco. The Tribune recommends Pat Mulieri in the Republican primary.

Commissioner Michael Cox of New Port Richey, a Democrat, is seeking a second term in District 4, which covers part of west Pasco. He is challenged by Henry Wilson Jr., a New Port Richey Republican, in the general election.

Pasco commissioners have geographical districts but are elected countywide.

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