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Three candidates qualify for Port Richey mayor's race

 
Published Aug. 26, 2015

PORT RICHEY — A newcomer to city politics will face off with a former City Council member and a candidate running for mayor a second time in a special election to fill the open Port Richey mayor's seat.

A special election will be held Oct. 13 to see who will fill the remaining 18 months of the term of former Mayor Eloise Taylor, who died of cancer in July. Voters will choose between Robert J. (Bob) Breedlove, Dale G. "Doc" Massad and Kathy Sue Todd to fill the vacancy.

Breedlove, 61, a land surveyor and life and health insurance adviser, said he wants to expand his service to Port Richey.

"I've been involved with the city on the planning and zoning board and decided I wanted to take on a larger role," he said. "I want to be part of the continued growth the city is experiencing. I just want to keep it on an even keel."

Massad, 64, a retired doctor, has served several years on the council previously, first appointed to fill a vacancy in 2000. He then lost his seat in a coin toss in the general election to break a tie. Massad ran again and won in 2002 but lost a re-election bid in 2004. Two years later, he ran and won again but lost a re-election bid in 2008.

Currently, Massad serves as chairman of the city's Port Authority Board.

He said he's not focused on winning the mayor's race but wants an opportunity to speak his mind. "Winning is not the goal. I have a platform where I can talk about the problems facing this city," he said.

Todd, 48, a Navy reservist, lost to Taylor in the 2014 mayor's race and said she is excited to run again because she feels the concerns she raised over issues such as water quality the last time around have not been addressed.

"We need a permanent fix, but nothing ever happens," she said.