Fond Memories Drive Lawyer to Sponsor Present-Day Chasco

Originally written reported by Alex Tiegen March 21, 2012.

Scott McPherson remembers going to the Chasco Fiesta when he was a kid. He remembers playing with a school band during the street parade that has become a popular part of the festival.

This year, he decided to become one of the event’s major financial sponsors. McPherson is a gold medal sponsor of Chasco Fiesta. Gold medal sponsors donate at least $15,000, according to Chasco Fiesta executive director Kristen King.

“I just thought it was win-win to be involved in something that’s so close to work and home,” McPherson said.    

McPherson is a personal injury attorney, and his office is on the corner of Grand Boulevard and Main Street in downtown New Port Richey.

He was born and raised in New Port Richey. He worked as firefighter for Pasco County Fire Rescue in the 1980s. He opened a practice as a personal injury attorney on Congress Street in the 1990s and then moved to Main Street last decade. He served as mayor of New Port Richey from April 2008 – April 2011.

Chasco goes back a long way, McPherson points out.

“I think that one of the things that Chasco brings to this city is a sense of community,” he said.

McPherson, 47, said that among his “earliest memories as a child” are those of running out and picking up candy thrown out during the Chasco Fiesta street parade. He also played trumpet (poorly, he adds) during the parade as a student at .

McPherson is a past chairman of the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce and past chairman of the Chasco Fiesta Boat Parade.

“It costs a lot of money to put on (Chasco), and I know that it’s tight,” he said.

This year, Chasco planners are cutting days from the festival and adding new responsibilities onto their shoulders. After months of debate about the cost of supporting the event, the .  

Some retail shop owners have said in the past that Chasco’s popular street parade, at least, costs them business.

McPherson said he does think the Fiesta has value for businesses. It brings revelers downtown to see what businesses are here, even if those businesses’ doors are closed. It directly benefits the bars and restaurants that are open to celebrants.

“I think you have to look at it like it never hurts to have pedestrian traffic around your building, he said.

McPherson said that a major way he contributes financially to the community is through sponsorships.

“This is the largest single sponsorship I’ve done,” he said

McPherson, past president of the New Port Richey Rotary Club, has sponsored events and organized others. Right now, he is chair of a fundraising effort by the Rotary to raise $20,000 for electric stand-up vehicles for the New Port Richey Police Department. The effort was proposed by local dentist Don Cadle.

A fundraising cocktail hour, dinner and banquet event is planned for April 13 at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey starting at 6 p.m.

For ticket information, call McPherson's office at 727-848-8892.

Editor's note: At New Port Richey Patch, we recognize that businesses are part of the community, too. That's why we're putting the spotlight on those that are doing good in the neighborhood. Keep your eyes open for the next Charitable Business Spotlight and don't forget to let us know who you think we should feature next!

Spotlight quick hits:

Business owner: Scott McPherson

Business: Scott McPherson, P.A.

Business Location: 5723 Main St., New Port Richey, FL 34652

Phone: 727-848-8892

Contribution that earned him a spotlight: Became a major financial sponsor of Chasco Fiesta, the multi-day festival held in downtown New Port Richey for decades, as festival planners attempt to cut costs and add new responsibilities onto their shoulders.