These are the 4 candidates for County Commission District 1. The three Republican candidates will face off in the primary August 30th with the winner facing off against Jimmy Lodato in the general election on November 8th.
Joseph Swilley Sr.(R):
Married to my beautiful wife Cathy for 18 years in November. We own rental properties and live our lives debt free.
We have 4 daughters, our son passed away in 2013. We have 13 grandchildren.
Hernando County (actual district 1) resident since June of 2000.
Proud veteran of the United States Navy where I was an Electronic Technician.
Hired in 1990 by Mackay Communications to be a technician on three ships being built for the U.S. Navy in Morgan City La. Due to supervisory issues I was made project manager 3 months into the contract. This contract was completed on time and within budget.
I was then relocated to Moss Point Ms.to be the project manager on the following contracts –
Lcu project- 32 ships being built for the U.S Army at Moss Point Marine.
AGOR-23- a scientific research ship for the University of Washington at Halter Marine in Moss Point Ms.
The Fast Patrol Craft project- special river boats for Special Forces made at Halter Marine in New Orleans La.
I was completely responsible for all aspects of these three contracts. They were all finished ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET.
I have years of experience with big budgets and interfacing with the military and the federal government.
After completion of these contracts I re-married my wife and chose a different career path that was more family friendly. (not moving from state to state)
I currently work for Craig Krueger a/c of Spring Hill (6 1/2 yrs)
Hernando County is going downhill & I see nothing being done about it. Hard working people & those on a fixed income have nothing left to give to the government.
The ONLY WAY to get Hernando County on the right track is to bring good paying career jobs to our county.
To accomplish this we must make our permit process fast, efficient and predictable. We must eliminate unnecessary codes and regulations.
Studies show company’s start a business, relocate or expand in places where the process is predictable. Some say they care far less about the tax rate if they know how long the process takes.
Hernando County has some well paid employees that live in other county’s and in one case a different state. A persons priorities are where their home is and if working for Hernando County I want their priorities HERE
in Hernando County. Please visit
joeswilley4hcc.com for more information.
Michael LaRocca R:
As a lifelong resident of Hernando County, I feel as its time to enter public office and serve the county that has meant so much to me.
With your vote, I look forward to bringing a wealth of leadership I have garnered through my time in the United States Marine Corps and my 10 years of sales experience within the medical and construction sector. Utilizing my knowledge, I want to increase our market share in attracting new manufacturing and tech companies to Hernando County. Companies that will bring increased revenue as well as lucrative paying careers for our residences. Create a prosperous growth that benefits our first responders, educators, and the residents of Hernando County.
I look forward to meeting with the community and feel fortunate to get a chance to serve you as well.
Nick Nicholson (R):
As a member of the current Hernando County Commission, I have consistently worked hard to maintain a consensus with my fellow Commissioners. A few of the items in which I have been involved and pleased to support are:
•Not supporting property tax increases.
•Consistently high quality maintenance of the roadways. 41 county roads, totaling 36 miles were paved.
•Recruiting new businesses to relocate and retain existing businesses resulting in either keeping jobs and/or creating new jobs.
•Improvement in streamlining the permitting process cutting time from 20 days to 5 days and improvement in customer service.
•Installation of shelters and benches for the bus stops at 45 locations. Cutting turnaround time from 2 HRS to 60 Minutes. Extending operations from the old 7am – 4pm to the new 6am to 7 pm. So people can get to work and home. Extending the routes to service the airport, Pasco County, and the Light House for the blind.
•Raising enough money to get the fireworks going at the fair for the 4th of July with 10,000 people enjoying it.
I pledged to improve the Quality of Life and safeguard it for the people of Hernando County. I have fulfilled that pledge.
When I was walking door to door, I was asked why a structural unsound house with weeds 20” tall was allowed to remain. After my election, I asked that same question. They said they did a monthly check to see if it was still there. I asked why not tear it down and mow the grass? They said they did not have the money to do it. I went to our attorney and he said we can lien the property and get rid of the house and mow the grass. We tore down 20 houses last year and now have 3 crews that mow the grass when it gets over 18” tall and lien the property. Problem solved.
Evaluations of the employees had not been done for 6 years. I asked why not. They said because there was no money for raises. I said that is not the sole reason for an evaluation. How does an employee know what they are doing good and how to get better if there is no evaluation. We now do evaluations for all employees in February of each year.
Employee lunches, certificates of recognition, and certificates of years served starting at 5 years. Employee morale is up and getting better.
Since I have been a commissioner, we take care of our employees. I support our fire fighters.
We have brought in over 200 jobs that pay $40,000 or more.
I am the peoples Commissioner and always will be. Of the people, by the people, for the people.
Jimmy Lodato (D):
I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and have been married to my wife, Tammy, for 35 years. I graduated from Jefferson High School and attended the University of Tampa. After a successful career as Vice President with a national company, I founded three businesses specializing in statewide sales, service, marketing and advertising of non-food products in the food and drug trade. I represented seventeen Fortune 500 companies such as General Electric, Westinghouse, Polaroid, Pfizer, Duracell, Loreal and Fuji Film.
When I sold my businesses, I was able to retire at the age of 39. Before my wife, Tammy, and I moved to Hernando County in 1999, we lived in Pinellas County. As President of the Tierra Verde Community Association, I implemented a fire district, negotiated for protection with the sheriff’s department, established a lighting district and enacted a multi-year beautification master plan, making Tierra Verde the most desirable place to live in Pinellas County today. These programs reduced the tax base by half and are still in effect.
I currently serve as a member of the board for the Hernando County Education Foundation and was recently Chairman of the Steering Committee and co-Chairman of the Save Our Students Hernando PC, the campaign to bring back the half cent funding for our schools, which was passed by a 60.5% majority. A successful educational system plays a vital role in economic development and I attend all meetings of the Hernando County Board of County Commission as well as Hernando County School District. With my expertise in economic development, I will work with the County, the school district and our citizens to bring job opportunities to our community. I want to bring prosperity to our citizens and create a better quality of life for families and retirees.
Some of my other involvement in Hernando County includes:
Member Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce; Represented Corporate Jet Solutions as spokesman, as well as other corporations with interests in Hernando, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties; Former Chairman Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee; Former Vice-Chairman Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee; Former President Tierra Verde Community Association; Sponsor and volunteer for Kiwanis Back to School programs;
Involved with Communities in Schools;
Member Sons of Italy in Hernando County; Outstanding Community Engagement Award from Hernando County Education Foundation; Award from Hernando County School District for Faithful Dedication and Tireless Commitment as Co-Chair of Save Our Schools Campaign to Restore the Half Cent
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County Commission District 1 Candidate Campaign
Contributions to date (3/28/16):
Joseph Swilley, Sr. REP:
Monetary Contributions: $3,365.60
In Kind: $358.65
Expenditures: $1,976.68
Michael LaRocca REP:
Monetary Contributions: $6,900.00
In Kind: $0
Expenditures: $118.71
Jimmy Lodato DEM:
Monetary Contributions: $520.97
In Kind: $0
Expenditures: $153.98
Nick Nicholson REP:
Monetary Contributions: $11,550.00
In Kind: $0
Expenditures: $754.34