Yes, he's really running in Pasco

Driving north on US 41, more than a mile south of the Pasco County line, you can't help but notice it.

A sign, just like the one shown here but much bigger, urges folks to vote for Pasco School Board candidate Kurt Conover. What gives?

"No. 1, a friend of mine owns that property," Conover told the Gradebook of his decision to advertise his bid in Hillsborough County. But more germane, he continued, "Over 40 percent of our working population in Pasco leaves the county to go to work. ... They head north in the evenings. It's just to get exposure on the main road."

Conover, of Land O'Lakes, is running against Peter Hanzel of Wesley Chapel and Joanne Hurley of Land O'Lakes for the open District 2 board seat.

Comments

[Your Point Is??]

I like how Mr. Conover is tuned in to his County and is on top of statistics with respect to Pasco commuters. So would it be better if Mr. Conover put up signs along roads wherever he wants like many politicians, with no regard for other's private property? Or maybe he can place signs to obstruct motorists views when trying to turn corners like so many often do?!?! Your point of this blog blurb is???? Slow news day???

Kurt is the best candidate in this race. A civic minded leader- GO KURT!

[Jeff Solochek]

The point is that the sign is in Hillsborough for a Pasco candidate, and we asked him why. Sometimes we just make observations without it being MAJOR BREAKING NEWS. Thanks for reading.

[Who is Kurt]

No Offense, but I have been to many meetings in which the candidates had a chance to speak.

Unfortunately, Mr. Conover was not there. I realize he might be the best candidate, but if he is not willing to do the leg work...then that says a lot.

I met Ms. Hurley and Hanzel and found the former to be energetic while the latter to be....well not what I am looking for in a board member.

Had Conover been at all them...who knows he might have received my and my families votes. However, to me he is a dollar short and a moment too late.

[Kristi]

To Who Is Kurt,

I find your "signature question" interesting since Kurt Conover is "everywhere" in this county and is one of the most actively involved, civic minded community members this area has to offer. (Has been for YEARS!!!) Not sure what "meetings" you are attending, but I know he's been present at many and is VERY visible in Pasco County.

[Kurt Who]

Who is this guy?

I met Hurley and she seem driven.

I met Hanzel and he seems like a slug.

I never met Conover so I can't vote or not vote for him. Right now he is in 3rd place out of 3 people.

[Who is Kurt]

I heard them speak at the Republican parties at Steve's in Land O' Lakes (#1) and Brew City in NPR (#2). Both Hurley and Hanzel were there and naturally I thought they were the only candidates.

I also was at another fundraiser off of 52 (#3), and Conover was not there either while other candidates (for many offices) were.

9:40PM- That's funny! You saw two of them at a Republican event (school board seats are non-partisan, fyi) and thought they were the only candidates.
I guess you're just another educated voter!
Did you know that someone is running against McCain for the presidency?

[Me Too]

I also didn't know kurt was running and I also met the other candidates. He as a lot of catching up to do.

[Who is Kurt]

Of course I know someone is running against McCain...Obama is campaigning.

Obviously, you are in Kurt's camp (or you could even be his wife) as you are quick to defend him and then attack a person who simply didn't know he was running. As you can see from the other comments, others didn't know he was running as well.

However, if he is as you said ""everywhere" in this county and is one of the most actively involved, civic minded community members this area has to offer", I am sure he would be disappointed in your attacks as it is very unprofessional of him to have one of his supporters attacking potential voters. Keep up the good work; he now lost a vote because of you.

["Newspaper" reader/teacher chiming in...]

No disrespect to those of you asking who Kurt Conover is, but do you read the newspapers (or just blogs)? There is hardly a month that goes by that I don't see his name in a newspaper story for something positive going on in the community. Most articles are about his involvement in numerous non-profit organizations throughout Central and West Pasco with respect to the time and energy he devotes to his community. I personally feel his track record over MANY years speaks for itself. In my opinion, (the nice thing about blogs and America - we can have opinions :) is that somebody who is that dedicated to their community will probably show that same passion and interest for the school system of the County where he/she works and lives (if elected). Again, no disrespect to the other candidates, since I don't know them, but will be sure to look up their "credentials" before marking the ballot. I'm just commenting in general about the work I've seen done by Mr. Conover in Pasco, and for me that speaks volumes for any candidate. Will get back to you when I've compared the issues and their platforms -- as a Pasco educator, obviously a candidates' position, with respect to education, is pretty important to me.

[Voter]

http://voteforkurt.org/

His website is very good, including a page to post comments.

I have just heard of him also, but I like the fact that he posted his signs on property where he had permission. That, to me, shows integrity.

I also do NOT like the fact that the other candidates seem to be wooing Republican voters (exclusively?) when the position is a non-partisan representative for the entire county, regardless of political affiliation. I am a registered Republican.

[Anti posers]

Posing as someone else is so unbecoming.

[No wooing]

Lets get this straight they were invited to speak to the Republican group and Kurt chose not to attend.

Secondly and most importantly...their was no wooing, trust me...it was boring.

Dear Who is Kurt,

I'm replying to part of your last post that affects me and my post from Kristi. (My REAL name, BTW!) My previous post to you, (6/20- 9:26 p.m.) simply mentions that Kurt is actively involved in the community and has been at ALL candidate forums to which he has been INVITED thus far. (Invited the key word, here.) Yes, I am DEFINITELY in Kurt's camp because I believe strongly in his commitment to community, family, and education. (BTW, I'm not his wife, contrary to your assumption - her name is Sandra.) I'm sure the other two candidates are LOVELY, INTELLIGENT people with strong beliefs of what is best for Pasco students, but we are only allowed one vote at the booth, and mine is for Kurt Conover. (No, I won't resort to name calling like the "slug" comment in the 9:36 post, but that wasn't you, right!?!?! That was "Kurt Who," not "Who is Kurt"!)

The McCain comment, which I have nothing to do with (whether you choose to believe or not) is from someone else. My 9:26 post was not meant to be "attacking" rather a comment to your post, wondering what meetings you had attended. (Thanks for clarifying the three meetings, BTW, in your 9:40 post.) In fact when I read the McCain comment, my initial thought was "that was a low blow", but based on your assumptions and ranting from your most recent post, maybe it was deserved!?!?! (Believe it or not, there are others who read this blog and are entitled to comment - not just Kristi and "Who is Kurt".)

You obviously had no intentions of voting for Kurt based on comments in your earlier postings, so please refrain from targeting me as the scapegoat for your reason for not voting for him. GOD BLESS AMERICA for allowing all of us the option to vote the way we choose!

And unlike your underlying assumptions with respect to who posted what, hiding behind "anonymous" names, I won't assume that YOU posted ALL of the "I didn't know he was running" comments just to validate and reinforce your initial post.

Thanks for the spirited discourse,

Peace out!

["Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign" The Five Man Electrical Band]

Who cares where the sign is, as long as it's strategically placed (LEGALLY) to catch voters' attention coming and going from Pasco. Now if we see Mr. Conover ripping other candidates' signs out of the ground, liked other's have been known to stoop to in the past, THAT'S a story! :)

[Cat fight]

A smell a cat fight

[Ed.]

As a Pasco educator I am voting for JoAnn Hurley. She has the Education Credential that are so desperately needed on the School Board. She is also not the Pasco Republican Leadership's candidate for the race!

[Voter]

Ed.
She also has Marge Whaley's (a.k.a. "The Voice of Reason" on our school board) endorsement, as well as Lynne Webb's. Seems like she is well liked across the board!

[Non union member by choice]

I'll concur with Whaley's "Voice of Reason" title - well deserved, but Lynne Webb/USEP's opinion? Please!

[PCSB employee]

To the 11:11 poster -- Thanks for sharing Kurt Conover's website link. Pretty impressive lists of community involvement and awards.

[Voter]

Non union member,
That's why I said she was liked across the board- from the Whaley to Webb. That pretty much runs the spectrum!

[Joe]

Ed, who are the republican endorsing?

As far as Webb's endorsement…that does not carry any weight. Webb will endorse anyone opposite of the Supt. By doing so it increases controversy and Webb’s role grows. This will get her the spotlight she is craving. Hurley may have known this and used this during her interview – if she did good for her as that means she did her homework.

That said, I am for Hurley mainly because she has the formal background in education as she has a bachelor and master’s degree in education. She also doesn't appear to be "owned" by anyone or group.

I am not anti Kurt by any means, and if Ms. Hurley didn’t climb the rungs of the educational ladder, I most likely would vote for him. However, in times with such extreme budget cuts, we need people who know education from the inside - out.

[Joe]

From an experienced educator in administration, I would like to weigh in. First I must point out that I am only visiting the state with my children on vacation. However, I couldn’t help but express my professional objective opinion.

Mr. Conover does have an impressive background; one he should be very proud of. I am sure his work ethics warrant him to earn those positions. He does have plenty of experience on boards, and that is very commendable. Therefore, his name and credibility will be very beneficial in winning support from the community on tough issues. In fact, his involvement in those activities might get him the victory in Nov. Out of the 3 candidates, he is the only candidate who lacks a formal degree in education. This concerns me.

Ms. Hurley is also just as impressive. Her bachelor and master degree in education should not be overlooked. We teachers know that it is tough to join extra clubs because our hard work is brought home with us. We even work nights, weekends, and holidays so we can be the best educator we can be for our students. These long and exhausting hours often gets in the way of joining clubs and organizations. However, the clubs and organizations Hurley is apart of, combined with experience in an outside of education carries a lot of leverage.

Mr. Hanzel also has a master’s degree in education, but it appears he didn’t do anything with it. This concerns me a bit because all educators know working with schools, students, parents and teachers is the opposite of the military. His 10 key points…hmmmm, seem like a marketing strategy, but if you look closely at them what person, whether running or not, would not want safe and secure schools.

Therefore, I am torn between Conover and Hurley. Consequently, for me the deciding factor leans me toward Hurley because of her formal bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. Today’s NCLB laws, state and federal statutes are complex. Dealing with families, students, teachers etc in the public school system is unlike working with the same family in the business or medical world. Therefore, I, the objective education administrator support Ms. Hurley.

[Joe #2]

Just an FYI, the second Joe does not know the first Joe as I am only visiting relatives.

[Real World!]

There is no formal education that can prepare you for the "real world"...... better than "EXPERIENCE"!

Also might add, if you think education is heavily regulated... have you ever worked in healthcare?

[Nurse Dave]

Actually yes

[Kurt J. Conover]

I'm not aware of any event that I was invited to.... and did not attend.

I apologize if I missed any opportunity to meet any individuals, who take time from their schedule to meet and learn more about candidates for elected office.

I encourage anyone who would like to find out more about me to visit my web site: www.VoteforKurt.org; join us this Saturday (June 28) from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., as my guest, for an event at Hungry Harry's Famous Bar-B-Que, 3116 Land O' Lakes Blvd (please let me know the number of family/friends that will be attending); or contact me at any of the following phone numbers: 813.949.4696 (hm) 727.861.5141 (wk) 727.514.5362 (cell).


Kurt J. Conover
Non-Partisan Candidate
Pasco County School Board, District 2

[Patti]

That is why I am voting for experience in education and degrees....=....Hurley

[Joe #2]

To the Real World, thank you very much your comments support my opinion.

Experience is very valuable and Ms. Hurley has that EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION.

That is why I, as an administrator and parent, feel that EXPERIENCE and her formal bachelor and master's degree in education makes her the best candidate.

Finally, yes I know about health regulations as my wife, mother and father are in the medical field.

[Ed.]

Joe #1, I think! I would say that the candidate that Mr. Bunting and the REC will be supporting will be one of the other two candidates for the position, as Mrs. Hurley is a member of the Central Pasco Republican club that was kicked out of the REC a couple of years ago. I have spoken with Mrs. Hurley who will treat this position as a full time job! She has been involved in education for more than 30 years, knows education from inside out, and would be a great choice to fill the Marge Whaley's shoes!

As for the endorsement of USEP, it is not Lynn Webb's endorsement to give, it is the 18 members of the USEP Executive Board that chooses the candidate for endorsement (School Board and Superintendent). I know this from being an active and informed Union Member!

From my experience of knowing her, Lynn Webb does not "Crave" the spotlight, she does the job that her position calls for her to do; represent the employees of Pasco County Schools. And she does a very good job of it!

[kathy b]

I wouldn't want a teacher on the medical board - instead I'd want a doctor.

I wouldn't want a salesman being a board member for the company building my house - instead I'd want a builder.

I wouldn't want a truck driver being on the board of my child's school - instead I'd want an educator. Understand where I am going?

[Mary]

I like the points about looking for someone in education. However, this will not be the case as too many key and influencial people know Kurt. He will win because of that, and the fact he was first to put out his signs. Finally, he will win because he has received the most money.

[Questions]

Is Mrs. Hurley currently teaching? If not, does anybody know the last time she was in a classroom? More specifically how many years experience serving in front of a room full of students (not counting administrative positions)? Can't tell based on information I've read about her? Just curious!?!? Important information to me when making a decision. Also, if Mrs. Hurley plans to make the school board position a "full time job" (if elected) does that mean she is currently retired, not working, or plans to quit her current job? Again, just curious. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Voter]

Yeah, well, Fiorentino was a teacher, too, and look where that's gotten us. I think being a teacher is highly overrated when entering a race. These people are now politicians, regardless of their roots.

[Peter Hanzel]

Please go to www.vote4PeterHanzel.com

Thank you,

Peter Hanzel