Pasco County Leaders Speak at East Pasco Republican Club
Know your community leaders
By Susan Slater
The East Pasco Republican Club convened with Pam Proctor opening the meeting in prayer, followed by Tim Proctor leading attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Club President Debbie Murray welcomed members and highlighted the importance of upcoming Federal, State, and City elections. Debbie emphasized the club’s commitment to staying engaged with elected officials’ post-election to ensure accountability for campaign promises. Members spoke of their businesses and networking meetings for others to join in.
Mike Wells Jr, Pasco County Appraiser, is very proud to serve in his elected position and loves his job. He discussed significant growth in Pasco County, noting that the school board, county employees, and the health care systems are the largest employers in the county which will be a challenge if the Governor succeeds in eliminating property taxes. Manufacturing is steadily expanding. The county is attracting more developers and businesses. Pasco County’s population has reached 700,000 and is projected to hit one million soon. He reported a market increase of $93 billion since 2022, approximately a 39% growth and businesses are paying significant amounts in taxes.Future projects in Pasco include 775 acres for Moffit and another with John Hopkins. The appraiser’s office is noted for its efficiency and customer service.
Christopher Dester, Executive Director of the Academy of Spectrum Diversity, shared his personal journey as a parent of an autistic child, his successes and his motivation to start the private Christian school, which serves children with autism and learning disabilities such as ADHD and dyslexia. The Academy currently has 72 students and a waiting list of over 400. Christopher’s message centered on faith, hope, and the importance of removing limits and labels for children with special needs. He shared that the prevalence of autism has risen dramatically, from 1 in 168 approximately twenty years ago to 1 in 31 today. He stressed the need for school choice in Florida and explained that his school would not exist without it. Christopher acknowledged positive thinking and community strength, emphasizing that a diagnosis does not define a child’s worth or potential.
John Legg reflected on the long-term impact of Hurricane Milton and the resilience of Pasco County schools over the past year. The district serves 85,000 students with 12,000 employees across more than 100 schools, including charter institutions. He highlighted disparities in growth between East and West Pasco. While East Pasco is experiencing rapid residential and school expansion, West Pasco is consolidating schools due to shrinking enrollment. Legg emphasized the need for post-high school education and good-paying jobs, noting partnerships with healthcare providers like Advent Health and investments support pathways for high school students.He encouraged parents to explore customized educational opportunities and acknowledged both the excitement and uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence in schools, stressing the importance of learning how to harness technology responsibly.
The meeting reinforced the club’s commitment to civic engagement, educational innovation, and community support. Members were encouraged to research candidates, participate actively in elections, and advocate for accountability and progress in Pasco County.
