6 Put Names in Running for City Council

Several locals have entered their names into the running for a seat on the city council seat.

Some are veterans who have held council seats in the past or currently.

Others are newcomers eager for a chance to bring something new to the dais.

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 opened Tuesday, Feb. 12, and closes Tues. Feb 19 at noon.

Folks interested in running for election can pick up paperwork from the New Port Richey city clerk and submit it there.

Want to know who’s interested in running?

Most of the following folks have filed at least some paperwork to run in the election, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office's website. One has announced he's running and is in the process of completing the paperwork. 

• Bob Langford

Langford has served more than one term as a city council member, according to city records. His first term started in 2003. He served as deputy mayor during part of that term. He is currently in another multi-year term that ends in April.

“I just want to be part of the city turning around,” he said

• Michael Malterer

Michael Malterer, 24,  would be a newcomer to the council. He is an operations manager for Penske Truck Leasing. He is married and has a dog named Elvis 

Michael Malterer wants to see the city revise its permitting process for businesses and is a staunch opponent of the city’s red light cameras.  Other issues he wants to address 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."

• Jeffery Starkey

Jeff Starkey, 38, says he was born and raised in the city.  Two years ago, he moved back into a home that is in the same neighborhood he grew up in. He owns Great Florida Insurance, an independent insurance company. His father, John Starkey, owned a national insurance company on Main Street.

“”I just want to make New Port Richey a better place,” he said.

Starkey had concerns about New Port Richey’s downtown area.

Jeff Starkey is not related to Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Starkey has two young children, a boy named Dylan and a girl named Madison.

“I want them to be proud of New Port Richey like I am,” he said.

• Ginny Miller

Ginny is a former councilwoman who is looking to return to a seat on the council. She served several council terms. Her first term started in 1998. Then she served 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, who teaches math at Gulf Middle, says she’s been monitoring what’s been going on with the city Council during her break. She is concerned about downtown emphasis at the expense of neighborhood work.

“I’ve been impatient with the pace of neighborhood work,” she said.

• Rose Mohr

Rose Mohr is an owner of The Market Off Main in New Port Richey and vice chair of the city’s Environmental committee.

She said she thinks she can bring a fresh view on the issues facing business owners in the city.

Asked her reason for considering a run, she said “The main reason for me is just being a business owner in the downtown.”

Mohr has picked up  qualifying materials, but right now is still considering the run.

• Jon Tietz

Jon Tietz, 24, is a freelancer videographer and New Port Richey native. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2012.

Tietz’s main focus is police and public safety. He expressed concerns recently about crime in his neighborhood.

Regarding his reason for running, he said, “It just doesn’t seem like anybody’s going to be paying attention to public safety.”

He has not filed paperwork yet, but said he intended to file Thursday or shortly thereafter.

Story updated Feb. 15.