Pasco County Commission District 1, Republican primary

Winner: Ted Schrader

In a race with bite, John Nicolette has blasted County Commissioner Ted Schrader’s spending and growth decisions. Schrader says Nicolette has abused the facts. The winner will essentially become the next commissioner, facing only write-in opposition in the November election.

	John Nicolette, 46	Ted Schrader, 52
Experience	The Tampa firefighter and east Pasco rancher has been on the State Fair Authority board since 1998, and the Coastal Rivers Basin board since October. This is his first run for office. He is the son-in-law of former County Attorney Robert Sumner. He attended Hillsborough Community College without graduating.	The citrus grower and real estate investor is seeking his third term on the County Commission. He previously served six years on the San Antonio City Commission. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor of science degree. He has been involved in the Pasco County Farm Bureau for 28 years.
Top three issues facing Pasco County	1. Improve controls on growth to match road and infrastructure capacity. 2. Give taxpayers money back when spending falls below revenue. 3. Improve development beyond housing to increase jobs in county.	1. Improve economy by growing nonhomesteaded property tax base. 2. Make transportation system meet demand through impact fees, mass transit and regional cooperation. 3. Keep property taxes affordable.
Does Pasco provide enough money for public safety?	“No, our first responders need and deserve better compensation and resources. … Now that we are in a slowdown we must pause and rigorously review every penny that is spent. Law enforcement would not be exempt from such a review. There likely are resources that could be better and more effectively employed.”	“From the 2001 budget to the most recent budget … the sheriff’s department budget has … almost doubled. The fire services budget has increased. Again, growth has continued to support paying for itself. … When we see additional growth, I have certainly supported the increase (in spending) of both fire rescue and the Sheriff’s Office.”
Do school impact fees need to increase?	“While I agree that impact fees are necessary to cover the infrastructural costs and should be paid for by developers, I believe that we need to review the data used to back up the consultant’s recommendation. His opinion has fluctuated over periods of time from increases between $5,000 to $10,000.”	“Up until just recently, every one of the school impact fees that have been presented to the board I have supported, and happily supported. … I suspect on the surface I support (another increase) but I would need the supporting documents to determine if I would support it at this time.”
Assets	Home, real estate, savings and investments.	Home, real estate, securities, loan, auto and boat, cattle equipment.
Liabilities	Mortgages, other loans.	Mortgage.
Net worth	$4.5-million.	$5.3-million.
Source of income	Firefighter and ranch salaries, hunt club, agriculture and stock dividends.	Commission salary, investments.
Personal	Lives in rural Dade City with wife, Lorraine. They have five children.	Lives in San Antonio with wife, Julia. They have three children.
Web site	Yes	Yes
E-mail	Yes	Yes

About the job: District 1 covers the eastern section of Pasco County, representing rural communities and some high-growth areas. Commissioners are elected countywide but 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.