Meet Ginny Miller, City Council Candidate

In advance of the April 9 election, candidates running for New Port Richey City Council answered Patch's questions about their campaigns.

There are two city council seats up for grabs. There are seven candidates vying to join the council.

Candidate Ginny Miller told us a little about herself and her stance on city issues in an email interview.

Miller, 54, is a former council member seeking to return to a seat.  Her first term started in 1998. Then she served several terms last decade. Her most recent term was from 2009-2012. She did not run for re-election in 2012, but she is running in this election.

Miller is a teacher at Gulf Middle and a business owner. She works with at-risk students. She also offers pro-bono GED coaching. She has been in numerous community involvement organizations.

The following is a (mostly) unedited Q&A Patch participated in with the candidate over e-mail.

Why is Miller running?

Here’s what she says:

I want to give the voters the option to choose an experienced, reasonable and tested city council member.

Miller on Her Qualifications

Patch: What makes you the best candidate for City Council? 

Miller: I have the history and experience to guide us out of this rough economic time. And, I am good at it.

Patch: What makes you a good steward of taxpayer money?

Miller:  My record speaks for itself.

Miller on the Issues

Patch: What are the top 3 priorities of your campaign? 

Miller:  1. Give the voters the option to choose experience. 2. Get elected. 3. See 2.

Patch: Redevelopment continues to be a major issue for the city. What would you want to change to spur redevelopment?

Miller: We must reinstate our grant program, especially residential.

Patch: What’s the biggest barrier private employers doing business in the city or wanting to move here face that can be changed locally? What can you do to remove it?

Miller:  Lending and personal savings are the drivers of start-ups and both are at low levels. Our development department stands ready to provide appropriate guidance and service to potential businesses with capital in place.

Patch: What is the biggest issue New Port Richey neighborhoods face and how would you tackle it?

Miller: Redevelopment grants and public safety are the key to neighborhood issues.

Patch: What ideas do you have for helping the Recreation and Aquatic Center raise its revenue?

Miller:  I think they are on the right path by hiring a marketer.

Patch: How would you tackle crime and public safety issues in the city?

Miller: First, I would look closely at combining police and fire into one Public Safety Department. Once the possible configurations of this model are known, it must be put forward to the voters as a well-written charter amendment.

Patch: Should the city continue its Animal Protection Unit?  

Miller: The concept is brilliant, thus, the current status is not unexpected. There are options re: location and leadership that I am exploring.

Miller on Leadership

Patch: What makes you a good leader?   

Miller: I always look for the best possible outcome on any issue and approach my colleagues with ways of responding that they can agree with. This is not rocket science, all good leaders like teachers and parents work this way.

Patch: Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you or your campaign?  

Miller: Your readers should vote for me.

 Check back with Patch for more on Miller and other candidates' thoughts on specific topics in the coming days.

Want to meet the candidates in person?

Come to New Port Richey Patch's Candidate Forum and hear them talk about their campaigns at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, at New Port Richey City Hall, 5919 Main St.