Deputy Mayor, Council Member Not Running in April Election
New Port Richey's retiring council members explain their reasons for not seeking reelection, and a new face announces he's entering the running.
New Port Richey Deputy Mayor Rob Marlowe and Councilman Bob Langford are not putting their names in the running for April's municipal election.
Both council members say it's time for someone else to step forward to lead the city into the future.
New Port Richey is holding city council elections April 9. During the elections, voters in the city limits will have the opportunity to elect two people to the council. The qualifying period to run for one of the two open council seats starts February 12 at noon and closes February 19 at noon.
The city council was faced recently with a budget that called for layoffs and tough decision making. Projections last year estimated the city faced a five-year deficit that looked dire.
Now, however, the city finance director projects the city’s multi-year deficit has fallen. He credits decisions made this past budget season, like ones to raise the city’s millage rate and stormwater and streetlight fees, for the change.
Langford says he thinks needs to take a break from council.
“The city’s economy is turning around a lot quicker than I anticipated," Langford said. "And, I would like to see the council keep moving forward in a positive direction.”
He said that he hopes that “a good candidate will enter into the race.”
“I hope whoever takes my place is qualified and can do a good job,” he said.
Marlowe has served two three-year terms as a councilmember. He first came onto the council in 2007 and was then reelected in 2010.
“I have a general philosophy that nobody should stay in public office for an extended period,” he said.
Marlowe is founding partner and co-owner of GulfCoast Networking in downtown New Port Richey.
“I need to concentrate more on my business,” he said.
He said he’s not leaving the council because he’s “unhappy with anybody or anything.” He said the future for New Port Richey is looking better due to steps the council had taken with Main Street Landing, the city-owned Hacienda Hotel, and stabilizing the city budget.
Marlowe didn’t rule out a return to the council in future years. Even after his term ends, he intends to share his thoughts on what New Port Richey ought to be “publicly and often.”
A New Face on the New Port Richey Political Scene
As Marlowe and Langford step aside, others now have coming forward with intentions to run.
Michael Malterer, 24, has announced he is running for a council seat.
“I remember New Port Richey being a better place to live when I was growing up,” he said.
Malterer says he was born at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey. The address he offers as his current home address is in the city limits.
Malterer, who works as operations manager at Penske Truck Leasing in Port Richey and St. Petersburg, says he has fresh ideas to bring to the city. He says he will bring a business leaders' perspective to the council. He'd like to see the city do away with its red-light cameras.
Other issues he's concerned about include the former Community Hospital property and the Hacienda Hotel.
"If elected, I would be an advocate for putting the Hacienda back into the private sector's hands," he said. "I think it would be great to see a bed and breakfast or some sort of mix use like that run there. I think keeping it on the city's books any longer than we absolutely have to is a mistake."
Find out more about Malterer's campaign at his website.
See Also
Rob Marlowe
7:40 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
I'd be happy to talk to anyone considering running regarding what they can expect in the way of time demands for the job.
Michael Malterer
10:12 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
If you have any questions or concerns about my campaign please feel free to contact me at mike@mikefornpr.com
Alex Snitker
10:52 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
It is great to see that the current elected officials are not running for reelection. From the information that I have seen the city council has done a poor job regarding the city finances and facilities.
New Port Richey will need new leadership on the council and considering the performance of the current city council I would be suspect of any candidate they consider good.
I also think the real reason you do not see people running for reelection is the 5 million deficit that is coming. These politicians made the mess and it will take statesmen like Mike Malterer to fix it.
Zoobiedood
12:01 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I don't know if a 24 year old qualifies as a business leader, and if the basis of the platform is getting rid of the red light cameras, he may need a bit more experience. What committees does he serve on? What non-church volunteer work has he done? What single thing has he spearheaded in this city so far that he has accomplished? I think he needs a bit more experience- helping to run a city isn't quite the same as leasing out trucks at a company he doesn't own.
Who is WILLIAM BINNEY?
1:35 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Pro-Fluoride won many votes in Pinellas, why not have a Pro-People candidate for us? The red light cameras are nothing more than a tax on the people..........and the people of the area do not even get the full benefits of the taxation. A company in Arizona issues the fraud.....I mean citation. Eh, not that bad, a company makes a little money from the camera usage.............but wait, the payment for the fraud......I mean citation is processed by a company in Ohio.
So you get a citation from AZ to be paid in OH for an infraction in FL......makes sense to me.
By the way, perhaps Michael simply want to enact the sensibility of Pasco County Judge Anne Wansboro when she agreed to the Unconstitutionality of the cameras February 17, 2012.
Michael Malterer
8:41 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Zoobiedood,
I am young, you are correct. I volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters as a Mentor and am a member of the Pearl of the West Masonic Lodge in New Port Richey.
I do not own my own company, not because I think owning a small business is a bad idea but it's just not my calling. I have great respect for those who own their own business. You're right though, leasing trucks is not the same as running a city. I would suggest that there is a little bit more to the trucking business then simply renting them out though. I do believe there are some smiliarities when it comes to running 2 branches of a large company.
My platform is not solely based on red light cameras. As a City Councilman I would have many other goals, in fact the first thing I would like to do is revise the permitting process for new businesses to relocate to the city. I'd also like to keep the momentum we earned from the Hacienda Hotel Cleanup going by engaging the community again when we redevelop Sim's Park. I'd also like to form a task force made up of business leaders and other dignitaries of our community to work with HCA on redevelopment of the Community Hospital property.
Zoobiedood
12:53 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
You don't have to be on council to organize a task force. You don't have to be on Council to organize a volunteer clean-up or come up with projects that will improve the city or bring business together. Lots of the big projects in this town were conceived and executed by private citizens hoping to improve our City. They didn't need to be on Council. Get a few of your ideas out there, organize, and execute them. Do that a dozen times or so, then we might vote for you.
Michael Malterer
3:04 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Zoobiedood,
I appreciate your thoughts and will consider them going forward. Up until this point my focuse has been on participating in local ministries and helping children. I wll take your thoughts to heart as I go froward in the future.
Who is WILLIAM BINNEY?
1:45 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Funny, scumbag criminal politicians run and are re-elected all the freaking time and the public could care less, but have an actual Statesman running and you want to bash and question his credentials.
If Michael had the last name Starkey, Little or perhaps Bilirakis, with the same credentials, the guys wouldn't say a thing........but since he is a real person who actually cares, well let's bash him for not being good enough.........and people wonder what's wrong with the world.
Let me ask you who do not believe Michael is good enough, have you ever bashed him for actually attending City Council meetings? Or were you to busy helping the community yourself during those few hours?
I'm so tired of REAL people who TRULY care being ridiculed for wanting to actually make a difference. I guess we should just continue to elect a bunch of empty suits and blouses because that's obviously what we deserve. Thanks for trying, Michael, we want more of the same.
Rob Marlowe
3:05 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Michael deserves credit for throwing his hat in the ring. My offer to talk to anyone considering running for council is open to Michael as well. It takes a lot of dedication to serve on council. Long hours, low pay, and you can be guaranteed that someone won't be happy with whatever you decide. Serving on council is rewarding in that you know that you are helping to make our community a little bit better. It is "public service" in the purest sense. There are two seats open, so we need more folks (at least one) to follow Michael's example and step up.