PascoWatch

We sat down with Stefanie Pontlitz. State Committee woman is a volunteer position, Mrs Pontlitz is CEO of Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind of Pasco-Hernando. We need to have the next generation move into Leadership in the Republican Party. Stefanie is the next generation, she has extensive experience that will serve her well in the position of State Committeewoman. Stefanie has spent her adult life creating relationships and networking to make Pasco a better place to live. Stefanie Pontlitz was the chairman of the most financially successful event in Pasco Republican Party History. That to me makes her uniquely qualified for this volunteer position. Her husband Derek is also very active in Pasco Civic organizations as well as a member of the Pasco County Planning Commission.

Kate sat down with me to discuss her background and run for Circuit Court Judge. She has worked as an Assistant States Attorney for most of her career and is currently assigned to SVU. This is a tough assignment and would prepare her to listen to all types of crimes that go before a Judge in our Counties. The 6th Circuit encompasses Pasco and Pinellas, Kate lives in Pasco County but has spent much of her career in Pinellas.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gina.finocchiro.for.pasco.county.commiss

Website: MichelleMandarin.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089751812743 Email: mamabearmandarin@gmail.com Phone: (727) 755-3603

Janine Duffy is a Republican Party Member, she is running as a Write-in Candidate for Pasco County Board of Commissioners D3, this election will be held November 5, 2024. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561346343741 Email: JanineDuffyforPasco@gmail.com Phone: 727-416-0842

Lisa Yeager is running for re election to Pasco County Board of County Commissioners Seat 4 Website: https://www.votelisayeager.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560499657072&sk=about Email: lisa@votelisayeager.com

Why did you forgive loans when the borrowers did not meet their obligation? If they cant pay, take the property and resell to someone who can afford the property. This is not what Pasco should be doing with Penny for Pasco Funds. You need to come clean with the taxpayers. No Jack, its not about the Boat covers, its about the fact that Florida State Law says one thing the commission is doing something else. Doesn't matter what the vote is, you are breaking the law.

Website: Siamas4StateSenate.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560771252765

Website: https://www.michellemandarin.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089207184031

After the board approved the financial statements I pointed out that there are errors on them. Financial numbers change between months which is concerning. The YTD income number on the P&L is different from the YTD income number on the Balance Sheet. I also mentioned the letters received from the Florida Department of Revenue, pointing out the incorrect information being filed with them. The reaction of the Commissioners was that it didn't matter because they corrected the incorrect information. My opinion is after 3 years in the position, there should not be continual errors in filings made with the state.

This video starts with Rick Bekesh, Spring Engineering Inc who is a long time associate of Commissioner M Cox. He showed the drawings of the new Campus, and mentioned that he current campus has outlived its usefulness. The design seems "odd" a huge Pond in the middle of the campus, to go between building will be a much longer walk, than if the buildings were just placed in the same area. The pond apparently is for the runoff water which will be put into another pond, cleaned and then moved to the decorative pond. Ms Rogers spoke about how well the agency responded to the recent outbreak of EEE, they were on the ground where the infection was within 45 minutes, and did overhead spraying the same night. She also spoke about the need to have two helicopters both are flying today, after the drought we have been experiencing and the large rains this weekend, without two helicopters they would not be able to treat the 1,300 acres they are treating each day.

Public Comments by Gary Joiner & Cathy Julian Comments were made about the zoning on the new property purchased and some irregularities found in the financial Statements. Also mentioned Letter to District from Department of Revenue warning that funds may be with held due to State Law not being followed when advertising and preparing the budget for 2023-2024. Audit Presentation by Mary Fernandez, CPA, CPV, DG Perry CPA's and Advisors

Listen in on our interview with Lisa Moretti who is running for Pasco County Commissioner District 1.

PCMCD Candidate Forum hosted by RLCPC June 6, 2024 Candidates in attendance Gary "Buck" Joiner and David Wallis The candidates discuss their thoughts on running for the Pasco County Mosquito Control District. Members of the community are concerned about the financial condition of the district and their ability to continue to operate as an independent district. Transparency is lacking within the district as they plan to build a $37 million new campus. They are currently in debt for Helicopters they have purchased and the new property may not be properly zoned to be used for the new facility.

Shawn Foster is the Lobbyist for the district and provided a great presentation on legislation that will affect the district. Sounds like from the video, the Live Local Bill has not yet been signed by the Governor. Update on the new Campus. 4 Emu's died in our county last month Eastern Equine Encephalitis, the director explains the districts response to this event. She also scolded some public members attending the meeting, the district needs two $4 million helicopters because one was in 24 month maintenance and if this had happened when they did not have access to the helicopter, the situation would have been DIRE.

Discussion of the new facility. Discussion of who purchased the new helicopters that have seating for 6. Discussion that the Director purchased her current home that is half the distance from the new facility than it is from the current Discussion of recent tour conducted for the community. Discussion of all the other Mosquito Districts that have the same 6 seat helicopters that PCMCD owns.

Today I had the opportunity to tour the Pasco County Mosquito Control District. The helicopter just happened to be taking off while we were touring the facility. I will say the Director Adrian Rogers is very knowledgeable about mosquitos, fascinated by everything I learned today. Saw a few employees at hard at work. They have a really nice campus. The helicopters are 6 seaters, which was surprising to me. One was having its 24 month inspection, the other one we got to watch fly off to go on a mosquito mission. The way they turn is surprising to watch. Still not convinced they need a New $37 million campus, seems to me the new campus is not really much more central to the county than the current one is. It would seem to make sense to me to open a satellite location on the other side of the county, where they could store the equipment that is frequently used on that side of the county. Ms Rogers said they wanted to keep everything in one location, but I know in life I don't always get what I want, sometimes what we want isn't the best solution. A new Administration building on the current property might be a good idea, the other buildings all seem to be newer. That would not cost anywhere near $37 Million to build. I would think a nice 2 story cinderblock building with a redesigned interior would be the answer at the current location.

Candidate Gary Joiner asked the commissioners if they were reconsidering going to a 5 member board to better represent the entire county. Another speaker asked about financial records that show the district does not really have much free cash, they also did not have a long term strategic plan as of the financial statements available. They may be putting the cart before the horse, building the new complex before this is completed. The ground breaking on the new campus would begin around the time of the election, perhaps they should wait until the election results are known as an idea of how voters are feeling about the new complex cost and the debt involved. Unfortunately my camera was not working well and overheating, so the rest of the meeting was not recorded. The Director emphasized that everything they do is based in Science. The helicopters are worth more than they were purchased for, there is still substantial debt on them, perhaps one could be sold, but we were told we need 2, because we do not have an outside contract to cover, if one of the aircraft is out of service. One was in west palm for a few months, only one was at the facility during mosquito fest. One of the pilots has resigned, and has been replaced by someone from an adjoining county, who will be trained to fly these helicopters in April.

Listen in.

Discussion of financing for new complex. Might be a little more difficult than the Commissioners thought it would be. The Director also responded to the comments, specifically the comments about the "Mold" which was reported in a news story. She said we reported it as "Mold" when it was actually fungus in the mosquito colony. The news report, reported it as Mold in the Lab. When I sent a information request we were told there was no Mold in the Lab. I am befuddled. Commissioner Cox reported in the news report the following. $10 Million from the sale of current. $15 Million from reserves. Finance the rest. This will not require a tax increase. We received a tax increase this year, but when they take on the new debt for building a new Campus, there will be no increase.