Pasco County Commission District 3 | Republican primary

Winner: Ann Hildebrand

The challengers to unseat Commissioner Ann Hildebrand say she has been there long enough. In fact, Matt Matey and Wil Nickerson say Hildebrand’s 24 years in office have left her out of touch with current needs in Pasco. But Hildebrand has heard and overcome those criticisms before, easily winning support for six straight terms since 1984.

	Ann Hildebrand, 70	Matt Matey, 53	Wil Nickerson, 62
Experience	Hildebrand is running for her seventh term on the commission after being first elected in 1984. She also serves on the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority. Hildebrand is involved in various social service agencies, including PACE Center for Girls and the United Way. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in social science.	Matey is a political newcomer making his first bid for office. He is an electrician who was laid off in June as construction dried up. He works with the West Elfers Cemetery Association to help maintain the historic grounds. The Pennsylvania native graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1976 with a bachelor’s of science degree. He served in the Army before moving to Florida.	The Boston native gained public exposure as a leader of Having Affordable Coverage, a group fighting for lower insurance rates. He also is president of the Forest Hills East Civic Association. He studied industrial science at the University of Bridgeport but did not graduate. Most recently a handyman, he has restored classic cars and worked as a real estate broker.
Top 3 issues facing Pasco	1. Improve roads and transportation. 2. Finish overhauling the county’s land development code to improve growth management planning. 3. Look for ways to cut government costs because of mandated property tax reductions.	1. Reduce crime and add more citizen support units. 2. Improve neighborhoods by increasing enforcement officers and combining departments. 3. Nicer neighborhoods will make Pasco more attractive for people seeking jobs, improving the job base.	1. Improve the budgeting process to reduce waste. 2. Reduce overbuilding through better planning and growth management. 3. Recruit more businesses to improve the tax base, reducing reliance on property taxes on homes.
Should the county buy private utilities in West Pasco?	“It has been a longtime goal of mine to see private utilities be in public ownership, which I feel would provide better accountability for our citizens. The rate payers would finance this. If their rates are higher than ours, then they would be left alone until ours caught up and if lower, then they would come up to our rates.”	“The county should not acquire private utilities, other than that which they currently hold.”	“I would have to look at how other acquisitions have been done and see if there are any feasible alternatives.”
Does Pasco provide enough money for public safety?	“Level of funding in Sheriff’s Office is more than 50 percent of the general fund property taxes. Also, the Board of County Commissioners provides funding for new buildings (i.e. jail) and operations and maintenance of all public buildings. We have greatly expanded our fire service area to most of the county. The [property tax] limitations that Amendment 1 has caused could see a decrease in other services.”	It’s not enough, Matey said. The county should coordinate with the sheriff’s office to reinstitute Neighborhood Crime Watch and “institute fiscal responsibility in managing the county budget, redistributing saved funds into other areas, such as fire department, law enforcement and code enforcement.” He also proposes to stop buying conservation lands to free more Penny for Pasco sales tax revenue to buy sheriff’s office equipment.	Nickerson calls for a closer look at each department to “trim the fat.” “I would look very hard at the age and mileage of vehicles, in all departments, before trading them in just to have new vehicles — for just one example. ... Look at how many vehicles respond to various scenarios (police, fire, ambulance and others) and we might be able to save money for more needed services and equipment.”
Assets	Homes, bank and investment accounts	Home, vehicles and household goods	Home, bank account, vehicle
Liabilities	Mortgage and car loan	Mortgage, loans	Car loan
Net worth	$1.2-million	$87,326	$110,238
Source of income	Commission salary, government pension, Social Security	None	Investment income
Personal	A New Port Richey resident, she is married to husband Charles Jack with two grown children	The New Port Richey man is married to Danielle with two grown children	The Holiday resident is married to Cheryl with one grown daughter
Web site	Yes	Yes	Yes
E-mail	None	Yes	Yes

About the job: District 3 covers southwest Pasco County. Commissioners are elected countywide but they must live in the district they represent. They set policy on spending, zoning and infrastructure improvements such as roads. Commissioners serve four-year terms and are paid $80,200 a year.