4 Candidates Vie For Pasco Commission Seat: FL Primary

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Pasco County voters will have an opportunity to choose a new county commissioner during the Aug. 18 primary.

Since there are only Republican contenders, the Pasco County commission District 4 seat has become a universal election.

On the ballot for the commission seat are Gary Bradford, Christina "Fitzy" Fitzpatrick, Jeff Miller and Gabriel "Gabe" Papadopoulos.

Christina Fitzpatrick

Christina Fitzpatrick graduated from Ridgewood High School in New Port Richey, received her associates of arts degree from Pasco-Hernando Community College in 2003, a bachelor of arts degree from the University of South Florida in 2008 and is completing the Educator Preparation Institute at Pasco-Hernando State College this year.

She's been the owner and tax preparer for Fitzpatrick Financial since 2007, preparing individual and corporate tax returns, payroll and bookkeeping services. Prior to opening her own business, Fitzpatrick was a marketing executive at Melaleuca in New Port Richey, an accountant with Stone Parker & Co. in New Port Richey and director and coach with the Suncoast Gymnastics Academy in New Port Richey.

She also founded Guardian Angels Inc in 2012, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children born to drug-addicted parents.

Born in Yonkers, New York, Fitzpatrick has lived in Pasco County for the past 33 years.

"I have gone to school, worked, started my businesses and nonprofits right here in Pasco County. I have been able to accomplish so much for so many people, families and children and I would like to continue to help make Pasco even better.

Fitzpatrick said her platform consists of family values.

"When we strengthen family values, we can break the cycle of addiction, mental health and homelessness. If we can reach our children and educate them at a young enough age, we can help guide them down the right path. We need to also address economic growth, flooding, transportation and public safety.

"I am dedicated to working hard, responding efficiently and improving the quality of life of Pasco residents."

Russell "Jeff" Miller

Russell "Jeff" Miller graduated from Hudson High School in 1987 and attended Pasco-Hernando Community College before becoming a licensed Realtor.

Through the Contractors Institute, Miller has passed the building contractor, home inspector, mold assessor and mold remediation state exams and is a certified general contractor.

He also attended both the Pasco County government and the Pasco County Schools citizens academies.

"I have worked since the age of 12, starting out with my dad painting until I was 17 (my father died in a boating accident). I then worked retail and as a laborer for a friend of Dad's, doing handyman work while trying my best to make it through college. Later I worked for my uncle building new homes from the ground up, then started doing medical billing and selling real estate at age 25.

"I loved selling real estate, working for Prudential Tropical Realty (now Berkshire Hathaway Home Services). I had great mentors and gained a lot of real world experience. I began to read more and understand more about how my community and the world worked. I met people from all walks of life and it set me on a path to keep improving myself every day, to take something that would make me a better person.

"I then started flipping houses under the mentorship of a client who became a friend. This became more profitable than real estate and soon consumed most of my time. I left the sales portion behind. When the real estate market crashed in 2007-08, I began working on houses for customers doing repairs. This led to bigger and bigger jobs, at which point I took on a partnership with a friend and founded a home repair business. The partnership did not last, so I founded my current business that does room additions and remodeling."

Miller has four children, Amber, 30, Brad, 27, Sarah, 25 and Rachel, 22, and two grandchildren, RJ, 6, and Scarlett, almost 5.

"I have just reached a time in my life where my kids are all settled and out of the house and at college, and my business has grown to a point where outside civic and community organizations can have a place. Until now, my priority was to be home with my wife and kids and run my business. In my opinion, both require constant attention when they are young."

Miller helped build the Volunteer Way's warehouse on Congress Street and helped Faith Assembly in New Port Richey finish its new building. He's also a volunteer for The Sunshine Kids Foundation, an organization dedicated to children with cancer.

"My platform is to improve conditions in Pasco County for small business, in every department across the county, to treat our business community as a priority, because small business is the heart of every community.

"I would also like to take a less costly approach to improving traffic conditions, through connecting our communities that are blocked off from each other, technology and applying for additional exits off and on to the expressway to aid in dispersing traffic on State Road 52 and State Road 54.

"I want to have a priority placed on infrastructure: our water supply pipelines that are coming to our homes and the drainage that gets the stormwater away from our homes. Repairs are expensive and always, by nature, unplanned. The quality of our water is certainly a health and safety issue that should always be protected. A comprehensive plan for drainage is an issue that will continue to need our attention. We need to figure out the how and the where, then who will pay for it. Water retention ponds are great...until they are full. Then, if your home is in the way, we have a disaster. When water comes into a home you have a health and safety issue, a financial issue and a time issue. I feel we need to get ahead of this before it reaches a crisis level.

"I am running because, as a citizen of my district who's lived here 46 years, worked here, raised four kids here, grown a business here, employs 20 people here, has two grandkids here, I felt that the citizens of Pasco County needed a choice that truly represented the general public.

"Why am I the best candidate in this race? I work as a contractor and deal with the county as the public does. I have the most skin in the game when it comes to experiencing the county government as most of our citizens experience it, and I will direct my attention to benefit the citizens that I represent."

Gabriel Papadopoulos

Gabriel Papadopolous is the product of American exceptionalism. He arrived from Cyprus to the United States in 1982 with nothing but a willingness to work hard and a desire to earn an education. He pulled himself up by his bootstraps and emerged as an example of the American dream success story. After high school, Papadopolous served in the military and went on to graduate with a bachelor's degree in communication from Lee University and a master's in business administration from Saint Leo University.

Papadopolous worked 31 years for Pasco County government (1987-2018). He climbed through the ranks to become Pasco County's community services director where he oversaw veteran services, human services and senior services divisions.

The father of five children, he is also an ordained minister and the founder and pastor of New Horizons Church.

Papadopolous' strong Christian faith and conservative values have guided his personal and professional pursuits. He is running for Pasco County Commission District 4 to serve the community where he has been a resident for 34 years.

"I will work tirelessly so that no Pasco County citizen is left behind as they embark on their journey toward their American dream."

He said his priorities are "seniors, veterans, family wellness, law enforcement, first responders, community and economic growth. I'm not a politician; I'm a public servant. I'm running to make sure the voices of our citizens are heard loud and clear. I have served our county for over 30 years and I think this is the necessary step that needs to be taken in order to more effectively serve our citizens."

Gary Bradford

Gary Bradford has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, primarily serving the Tampa Police Department from 1982 to 2007.

Bradford rose through the ranks to major management community relations positions. These positions included various assignments such as police officer, field training officer, school resource officer, hostage negotiator (Tactical Response Team), patrol district corporal, community relations corporal and senior detective.

Bradford retired from the department and is currently owner of The Bradford Group, a government relations firm specializing in advocacy for the men and women in law enforcement.

Bradford has a bachelor’s degree in criminology from St. Leo University. He and his wife Deborah have called Land O’ Lakes home for more than 20 years.

Bradford said his background in law enforcement will be a huge asset to the Pasco County Commission in coming years. Bradford plans to work with Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, who was his first endorsement, to continue to increase public safety and assist first responders by making sure they have the tools they need to do their jobs. One of Bradford's top priorities is to keep the community safe, something he said he has devoted his career to and will continue to do so on the county commission.

Bradford recognizes growth is a major concern for county residents, however, with it are many opportunities. He said he is committed to responsible growth management that takes in account infrastructure, schools, the environment, public safety and accessibility to health care services.

"Pasco must have a balanced and responsible approach to growth. Pasco must be more than a bedroom community," he said.

Bradford plans to work with the Pasco County Economic Development Council, Pasco Schools and business to bring economic growth and diversity to the county.

Bradford describes himself as a fiscal conservative who will fight to keep property taxes down and spend tax dollars where they make the most sense. He said he wants to bring transparency and accountability to the commission.

"A summer storm shouldn’t become a nightmare," Bradford said. He vows to fight for responsible development and effective storm water diversion projects while working with state and federal partners.