Citrus Chronicle
By: Mike Wright (mwright@chronicleonline.com)
Published: 24-Jul-2004

Candidates for county commission imcumbent's seat dispute charge

Josh Wooten is taking issue with his Citrus County Commission challengers.

Wooten, the Democrat incumbent in the District 5 race, says his issue is this: They'll say anything to get votes.

"I want what you want," he said sarcastically during an interview this week with the Chronicle Editorial Board.

"Everywhere we go, that's what we hear," he said. "How do you go from group to group saying the same thing? 'I want what you want.'"

Opponents in the Democrat and Republican primaries disagree.

"Tell him I think he's full of it," Republican Paul Pilny said. "I'm being as specific as I can be. I'm not walking a picket fence on these issues. I expect this from Josh."

Republican Joyce Valentino said she is up front with supporters of the Suncoast Parkway by saying she hasn't seen anything that shows the parkway's extension through Citrus County is necessary.

"It's tough standing there, slitting your own throat," she said.

Wooten said he was dismayed to hear several commission candidates answer questions at an Inverness Highlands forum by declaring to support what the public supports.

"We're going to a forum soon with the Realtors and builders. I want to see if I hear that same thing," he said.

"Am I saying they're pandering? Yes, they are pandering," Wooten added.

Valentino said it's Wooten who goes with the crowd.

"Look how attentive he's been," she said. "He's telling constituents what they want to hear."

Republican Chuck Carr said he agrees with Wooten in some respects, though it doesn't apply to him.

"I think some candidates do that and others don't," he said. "I don't pander. I give people my honest opinion."

Wooten's lone Democrat challenger, Zoe McLendon, said Wooten's charge doesn't apply to her.

"I'm doing the opposite of that in my campaign," McLendon said. "I tell people the truth. I don't want your vote if I have to lie to you."