As the Aug. 26 primary election draws closer, the Plant City Times & Observer will be publishing profiles and Q&As from each of the candidates who will represent Plant City and its constituents.
In this edition, we introduce the candidates for Hillsborough County Commission District 4.
District 4 candidates include Republicans Rick Cochran, Janet Dougherty and Stacy White.
RICK COCHRAN, REPUBLICAN
Age: 49
Family: Wife, Karen; daughters, Holli, 25, and Alyssa, 21
Hometown: Raised in Temple Terrace
Education: Bachelor’s degree in criminology, St. Leo University, cum laude
Favorite author and book: Michael Connelly
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Abraham Lincoln
Website: VoteRickCochran.com
What would be your top priorities if elected?
My top priorities if elected are to update and provide enough funding to properly maintain our aging infrastructure. This can be done without seeking new taxes from the residents of Hillsborough County. Second, streamline the process of doing business in Hillsborough County to encourage private sector employers to grow and hire new employees.
What are some of the current challenges in Hillsborough County, and what are your solutions to those problems?
Some of the challenges have already been mentioned. Our infrastructure is outdated, and it is too difficult to do business in Hillsborough County. In addition to those challenges, I believe that there are too many semi-independent regulatory agencies within Hillsborough County government. I would make these entities function within their assigned tasks and justify their funding.
What are some of the current challenges facing Greater Plant City, and if elected, how would you address those concerns?
Obviously, the agricultural community is a massive driver of Plant City’s economy, and we, as a County Commission, should do everything within our power to hold this industry harmless from regulatory changes and should look for creative ways to allow agribusiness to expand their business model to remain competitive. In addition, Plant City has experienced tremendous economic development success recently. We should encourage continued focus on locating new and existing business growth in Plant City.
The county has reached out to residents through Imagine 2040 to help determine how growth should take place. How would you like to see the county grow in the next 30 years?
I do not believe that anyone has a definite answer for this question. I will say that we must do a couple of things as a current County Commission. We must make sure to protect the limited amount of land that is still available in Hillsborough County as agricultural as well as industrial lands. Also, we must do a better job managing Hillsborough County’s massive growth than our predecessors did. Long-range planning and an adherence to the plan will make the Hillsborough County of 2040 an easier place to move around and a better place to live, work and play.
What makes you the best candidate for the commission?
My background of service as well as my hard-working approach make me the best candidate in this race. I have spent a career making hard decisions without the luxury of time. I had to decide whether or not someone was going to jail or whether I should draw or discharge my firearm, all with seconds to decide. This experience makes me uniquely suited to make the important decisions that will face our county over the next eight years.
