Get out your tin-foil hats & big pencils!

Editorial Comments

Anna Liisa Covell


Hernando County's annual list of New Year's resolutions should begin by addressing a few items left in the dustbin as our year draws to a close.  As we swing into the New Year, all eyes will be on bigger and brighter promises for the future. We'll listen to promise after promise from politicians wanting to take their turn at the helm.


But before we jump into 2012, let's tidy up a few loose ends to answer a few questions from this year.


 1.   How many mosquitoes does it take to make a swarm before the county will send the bug truck?
 2.   Did Satan really send pygmy goats to visit Commissioner Jim Adkins' farm last summer?
 3.   How many frequent-flyer miles has Commissioner Jeff Stabins really racked up?
 4.   Will Blaise Ingoglia take "Number 1" spot on YouTube in 2012?
 5.   Will Balloon Boy launch another flying machine once the airport tower is built?
 6.   How many spaghetti strands does Jeff Stabins expect his constituent to eat through a strainer?
 7.   Was Commissioner Wayne Dukes seen outside of Workforce Hernando wearing a tin-foil hat?
 8.   Will Jim Adkins loan the county his "two tin cans and a string" for broadband and data capability?
 9.   Will Jeff Stabins ask the fire chiefs to flip a coin to see who gets to wear the big red fire hat?
10.  Will the first "Blueberry Queen" be Lara Bradburn?
11.  Will commissioners resort to a Ouija board to choose the next administrator?
12.  Has Jim Adkins sent away for his super-secret decoder ring from John Kerry?
13.  Will Skater-girl take first place in district 3 roller derby?
14.  Did Commissioner John Druzbick cry uncle in silent as his arm was twisted for Big impact fee waivers?
15,  How many more gray hairs will David Russell get balancing next year's budget?
16.  Will Jeff Stabins do "man-on-the-street- interviews when the Elgin Road  project  is complete?
17.  Do new sidewalk plans for School Street include a scenic stroll past  toxic waste dump at old DPW?
18.  Will citizens be judged to eternal damnation for disbelieving Jason Sager's fire & brimstone speeches?
19.  Has David Russell really applied for a job of "straw boss" at FDOT for SR50 widening project?
20.  Will Regina Werder-McGuire drag her brother's big pencil around to the campaign sites?
21.  Do visions of "school board seats" dance in John Druzbick's head as he sleeps?
22.  When Alvin Mazourek retires will he leave bread crumbs for Nobleton residents?
23.  Where will the keys to the cookie jar be hidden when Karen Nicolai retires?
24.  Has unemployment office listed "open seats at supervisor of elections" as job offers for unemployed?
25.  Will Wayne Duke figure out how to remove "No" from his vocabulary to accentuate the positive?

Change of editor at local paper

Editorial Comments
Anna Liisa Covell


Several weeks ago, I emailed Michael Bates at the Hernando Today, after reading Tampa Tribune had down-sized their organization.  I asked Bates if his editor, Chris Wessel, had been laid off in their new round of personnel cuts.  It was my understanding that Michael Terry or Robert Hibbs had replaced  Wessel as the editor at the Hernando Today.

As you might imagine, I never received a reply from Bates. Even though I had a firm tip about the paper's personnel changes, I was hesitant to say anything without a second confirmation. So I waited for an updated staff list to be published on the Hernando Today web site.  

Michael Terry is now listed as the editorial editor for Hernando Today.  Several reporters survived the latest rounds of cuts.  Bates is still the reporter for Hernando County government news.  Jeff Schmucker has the city government and school board beat.  And Tony Holt is covering court reporting for the county.


Everyone has had to tighten their belts in this sluggish economy.  The newspaper business, in general, has been especially hard hit.  Good luck to everyone at the Hernando Today.  

No school board candidate is being gerrymandered

Brooksville, Fla. - School board members opted for “Rev, Amended, Modified, Scenario B” map in redistricting dispute.

The final decision on redistricting maps was made by Hernando County School Board at their Special meeting.  The school board attorney argued that all maps were defensible and no school board candidates would be affected with their decision.  The school board gave final 3-2 vote to approve  “Rev, Amended, Modified, Scenario B” map submitted by the Hernando County Commission.  Their decision makes the school districts the same as the districts of county commissioners.

Denis Alfonso, school board attorney,  indicated that all maps could be subject to a challenge.  But it was his legal position that all maps would be defensible.

"No school board candidate is being gerrymandered to involve the school board," Denis Alfonso said.

County Commissioner John Druzbick spoke in defense of the county commissioners plan to go with “Rev, Amended, Modified, Scenario B” map instead of their original map.  Druzbick explained the pitfalls of the map submitted by the NAACP/Local 5092 branch, saying it didn't follow major roadways.

Matt Foreman, school board member, changed his position on the issue of gerrymandering from the previous meeting. He added that it would have been better if the school board had been considered before the county commissioners made their final decision.  "But none of us operate in a vacuum," Foreman said.

School board member James Yant voiced concerns about future legal actions by the NAACP after final approval of county commissioners maps.  "Why would we want to, as a board, get involved in a position that possibly cause legal action," He said.

Paul Douglas, president of NAACP/Chapter 5092 explained the Voter's Right Act in regards to the rules on redistricting.  He argued that the decisions on maps must be free of any gerrymandering.

"It must not be gerrymandering," Douglas said. "We have lawyers, too, and this is not legal."

At the conclusion of the meeting, Douglas said the national branch of the NAACP had already contacted him about the final decision of the school board.  He said $10 million had been allocated by the civil rights organization to fight decisions about redistricting.  Douglas said their local chapter would be the 38th challenge in the state of Florida.

Candidate resigns from civil rights organization

Brooksville, Fla.- A candidate is asked to resign his position from local civil rights organization just as his campaign kicks into gear.

The local NAACP/Chapter 5092 president submitted his resignation after a request was handed down from their national office.  The civil rights organization's national bylaws prevent any officer to run from office while holding a position within their organization.

At the conclusion of the special Hernando County School Board hearing on redistricting, Douglas said he would forward his resignation to the national chapter of the NAACP.  He explained his resignation was a matter of following NAACP bylaws.

Douglas explained he would be eligible to run for an NAACP officer position again even if he is successful in his bid for county commission, district 5.

"The NAACP bylaws only prevent me from being an officer while I'm a candidate," Douglas said.

Rep. Nugent/Press Release on Soldiers MIA

REP NUGENT:  

“I am calling on the House to stand up for 

 American soldiers missing in Iraq and Afghanistan”

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Following introduction of his House resolution, Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05) issued the following statement:

“As America draws down in Iraq and Afghanistan, I want to make sure that my colleagues in Congress and over at the White House don’t forget about the American soldiers who are currently missing in action.  For my three sons currently serving in the Army, this is personal for them.  It’s personal for all of our veterans, active duty military, reservists, and National Guard members - that makes it personal for me.”

Gerrymandering -the new "G" word

Brooksville, Fla. – Commissioners avoid using the “G” word as they approve new redistricting maps for the county.

Ron Pianta, Hernando County Planning Director presented two redistricting maps for county commissioner’s final consideration.  Only districts 4 and 5 were adjusted according to county officials.  To comply with state redistricting guidelines, the final map approval would have to be completed by year-end.

The maps presented for consideration included the NAACP map which was revised to include Spring Lake Highway for delineation purposes only.  The “Rev, Amended, Modified, Scenario B” map presented by the county included previous candidate demands with slight variation to the south to justify district 5 population.

Commissioners opened debate for public comment without mentioning gerrymandering, like in their previous discussions on redistricting. 

County commission candidate Jason Sager said the NAACP was a local special interest organization.

“This map is not what the county is looking for,” Sager said.  “It was done for a very small group of people.”

Paul Douglas, president of NAACP/Chapter 5092, said their maps were a coordinated effort with the county and state officials, culminating a year’s worth of work.  He said the NAACP map was drawn within one percent for each of the five districts and only varied by 34 voters.  “We thought our map was a little fairer,” Douglas said.

Commissioner David Russell said both maps accommodate candidates and incumbents.  “Both achieve to a high degree in parity and numbers,” Russell said.

Commissioner Jeff Stabins asked Sager and Douglas to return to podium.  Stabins then asked them to flip a coin to make a decision on the maps.

“Both maps are legit.” Stabins said. “Flip a coin,” 

Douglas and Sager refused Stabins request, as the discussion turned to the county attorney.

“Both maps are reasonably equal,” Garth Coller said.  “One map is more equal than the other, but both are defensible.

As commissioners discussed the merits of mapping, Commissioner Wayne Dukes made a motion for “Rev, Amended, Modified, Scenario B” map which was seconded by Commissioner John Druzbick.

“I’m leaving it up to Commissioner Dukes and Commissioner Adkins to make the map decision,” Druzbick said.

Immediately following the approval of “Rev, Amended, Modified, Scenario B” map, discussion took place outside the commission chambers.

Walter Dry, one of the founders of Hernando County Human Rights Coalition , took exception to Sager’s comments depicting the NAACP as a small, special interest group.

“Mr. Sager is not using the technology available to find out how the NAACP functions within our system,” Dry said.  “Please, Mr. Sager, Google the NAACP.”

Douglas said the local NAACP/Chapter 5092 will immediately contact the Florida Legislature to notify the Senate and House their organization is in opposition with the approved county redistricting plan.

“The commissioners never once mentioned gerrymandering,” Douglas said. “Commissioners appeased Sager’s demands by making only minor modifications to the southern portion of district 5 to satisfy population requirements.”

Douglas said the local NAACP will act immediately to present their protests to the state legislature to comply with the year-end deadline.

“There are already 37 protests at the state level now,” Douglas said.  "Our NAACP chapter will be number 38."

Douglas said this has become a civil rights issue under the rules of Pre-Clearance. Under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Pre-Clearance defines the rules to make elections fair and free from any activity to deny the right of any citizen.

Rep. Nugent needs the help of small business

REP NUGENT PRESS RELEASE 

“If you want to know why small businesses 

 aren’t hiring, ask a small business owner. ”

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05) announced today a new, coordinated effort to gather ideas specifically from small business owners:

“Over the past year, I’ve been steadily meeting with small business owners to ask them what they think needs to be done.  Pretty much all of them, from New Port Richey and Spring Hill to the Villages and Lakeland, all say the same things – customer demand is persistently weak, loans are harder to come by than they used to be, and they have no idea what their tax and regulatory burden is going to be eighteen months from now.  But the more you talk to business owners, the more it becomes clear that there are also concrete policies that affect individual industries and companies differently.  Construction, in other words, isn’t necessarily facing the same challenges as small manufacturing.  The key to helping businesses create good, sustainable jobs is drilling down into those differences and changing things that aren’t working.

“The question we are posing to small business owners all over the district is this:  What would it take for you to create one new position in your company?  Is it a new line of credit from the bank?  Is it new orders hitting a certain level?  Is it a specific tax rate?  A certain regulatory filing requirement?  A state law?  A federal law?  Or just plain confidence about where things are going?

                                                                                                                                              

“We’re going to compile the suggestions we get from small business owners and we’re going to get the word out about what they need to put Floridians back to work.  At the end of the day, if you want to know why small businesses aren’t hiring, ask a small business owner.  Don’t ask think tanks or college professors, ask the people on the ground who are actually weighing the real-life consequences and making the real-life decisions.

“I am sending letters out to our local small businesses this morning asking them for their input.  In the meantime, for any small business owners who want to go ahead and submit their ideas, just send an email to FloridaJobs@mail.house.gov.  We need to hear from you.”

Congress to write laws

  

REP NUGENT PRESS RELEASE:  

“THE FOUNDERS WANTED CONGRESS TO WRITE THE LAWS.”

  

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Following passage of the REINS Act, Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05) issued the following statement:

“The debate yesterday was supposed to be about which branch of government is responsible for setting the laws in this country – the executive or the legislature.  The argument we heard against the bill is that regulations are too important to trust to Congress.  I respectfully disagree.  It’s not about the relative merit of regulation in general, as opponents of the legislation tried to suggest, it is about the fundamental way that our form of government is supposed to work.

“When rules are being written outside of the legislature that cost tens of billions to comply with, the situation has gone too far.  In my opinion, no president should have the ability to unilaterally impose such extensive rules without consulting the representatives of the people.  The president can’t even hire his chief of staff without the Advice and Consent of the Senate, and yet somehow, every president thinks his administration can write rules for the citizens of this country without the advice and consent of Congress.  This is not a dictatorship, it’s not a monarchy, it’s not government by fiat, it is a democratic republic.  The Founders wanted Congress to write the laws, not the President, and that’s the way we’re going to do things.” 

###

A little gerrymandering

Brooksville, Fla. - Calls for parity took center-stage in the county redistricting debate.

As Hernando County Planning Director presented what was thought to be the final redistricting map for approval, county commissioners changed direction. Commissioners previously ignored NAACP redistricting maps when they asked county staff to make changes to accommodate a candidate.    Facing challenges of community polarization head-on, one commissioner took a stand to label the revised maps gerrymandering.

Public debate was opened after Ron Pianta, county planning director, presented "Revised Plan B map to Hernando County Commissioners.

June Ester, former county commissioner, requested the commissioners return to their original "Plan B" map.  She said candidates who want to run for commission races have the ability to move after elected, citing Rose Rocco's successful lawsuit.  Ester gave examples of local politicians who had moved to comply with residency rules.

"I moved when I ran for commissioner," Ester said.  "So did Ginny Brown-Waite when she ran."

Local candidate Jason Sager took a defensive stance, explaining to commissioners he was the only person cut out of his district with the original "Plan B" map.  He explained the "Revised Plan B" maps were necessary because Pianta didn't know he was running in district 3 commissioner race.

"There seems to be some misconception with the public and NAACP that commissioners made changes just to accommodate me," Sager said.

Officials from the NAACP opposed the "Modified Plan B" saying it was not compact or contiguous.  Their secretary, Suzanne Touchton asked commissioners why the NAACP was not being included for state review.  Commissioner David Russell told her not to assume their map wouldn't be considered by commissioners.

"Just let me say there's a little gerrymandering going on with these maps," Russell said, as he referred to "Revised Plan B" map.

Russell said the NAACP map appeared to be autonomous and free from any perception of gerrymandering.  He told citizens the NAACP map created more parity between districts.  "We need to take a look at the NAACP and state guidelines," Russell said.

Russell said the county had two maps to consider based on population totals per district.  "We need to create a little more parity between districts," He said.

Discussion between commissioners centered on the time frame left in the redistricting process if they requested more changes.  They were concerned about Hernando County School Board member's ability to review mapping if commissioners decision was delayed until next week.  Ron Pianta said school board members had agreed to vote on final maps submitted by commissioners to keep districts the same.

Russell made a motion to bring back amendment of amended "Plan B" map  and NAACP map for final consideration at their meeting next week.  Commissioners were in agreement to have the item placed first on their agenda so planning staff would be able to transmit the document to the school board for their evening meeting.

Commissions quick to abide to candidate's demands

Brooksville, Fla. - Political gamesmanship takes on a new meaning with commissioners sudden request for changes to local redistricting maps.

A last minute change to redistricting maps was ordered by Hernando County Commissioners after cries of Sunshine Rule violations came from a local candidate on November 15.  At a prior meeting, a local civil rights organization requested changes be made to "Plan B" map but commissioners ignored the group.

Jason Sager, candidate for county commissioner, submitted a  document to Hernando County Commissioners at the November 15th meeting, demanding changes be made to redistricting maps.  Sager, referring to his multiple-page document as a brief, accused county planning staff of Sunshine violations during his ten-minute tirade at the podium.  He was given additional time to speak by Chairman James Adkins after Sager's supporter's agreed to relinquish their time.

After a heated discussion, county commissioners were quick to abide to Sager's demand to change the redistricting maps.  The change to mapping was given the green light even though county attorney Garth Coller challenged the charges of Sunshine violations,  saying Sager's charges were unfounded and baseless.

Officials at the local branch of NAACP were clearly questioning the actions of the county commissioners after they agreed to Sager's demands.

"I'll just say it like it is, this is gerrymandering." Touchton said. "The law doesn't mean anything to commissioners."

Touchton, secretary for  NAACP / Branch 5092, was denied a similar request for map revisions at the November 3rd  Hernando County Commissioner workshop.  She asked for revisions to commissioner's "Plan B" to enable population be within one percent between districts.  She presented the NAACP plan at the workshop that made all five districts equal within a one percent margin.

Commissioners denied the NAACP request, saying there wasn't adequate time before the December 6 deadline.

"During the  general workshop, commissioners gave more weight to discussion on impact fee reduction than to the issue of redistricting," Suzanne Touchton said.

Commissioners ordered Hernando County Planning Director Ron Pianta to provide updates to maps for Tuesday's meeting to satisfy Sager's request.  New maps will be presented  at 10:45 a.m. for commissioner's final approval.

Impact fee waiver approval

Editorial Opinion
Anna Liisa Covell

Shame on all five county commissioners.  If they were NOT aware of future development plans for our county, then why did they move forward on reducing impact fees.  Is this finger in the wind governing or testing the waters without knowing the consequences?

Oak Hill Hospital had front page stories in the local media several months ago broadcasting their $50 million expansion.  Commissioner Druzbick even serves on the hospital community advisory board.  Now they want us to believe they didn't know about expansion plans.  Have commissioners even considered the impact fee waivers for their recent zoning approvals for housing complexes?

Impact fee money isn't just for transportation.  Oak Hill's waiver will also impact  EMS and Fire Rescue for the area.  What are the commissioners going to do when fire service becomes universal countywide and they need more fire stations & equipment?  Are they going to raise our rates to cover the loss of impact fee waivers, saying it is in the name of safety?

The general contractor listed on Oak Hill's permit application is from Alabama.  How many of those 500 temporary construction jobs do commissioners think will be local?

The approval of the impact fee waivers by all five county commissioners is a direct assault on all existing property owners who have paid their fair share - their fair share in the way of impact fees and property taxes.  Now we have to watch new or expanding local business get a leg up on competition, with perks provided from our local elected officials. 

Are you going to balance the budget by raising taxes to compensate for the loss of impact fee revenue, commissioners?

Press Release on Federal Budget / Rep. Nugent

REP NUGENT PRESS RELEASE:  
“We spent the day cutting our own budget… that’s a day well spent.”

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Following a marathon, budget-cutting meeting of the House Administration Committee, Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05) issued the following statement:

“Americans are looking at the federal government, they are looking at their taxes, they’re looking at the debt being run up in their names and they are saying, ‘you all have got to do more with less’.

“Congress isn’t exempt from the belt-tightening.  In fact, we’ve got to be the first to do more with less.  Leaders don’t ask others to do things that they aren’t willing to do themselves.

“Cutting the House budget is one thing we can do on our own.  We don’t have to fight the Senate for every penny and we don’t have to fight the White House.  This is what Washington could look like without all of the obstructionism - we can sit down, work it through, and deliver some results.

“We spent the day cutting our own budget for next year and that’s a day well spent.” 

Jamming on the sidewalks

Brooksville, Fla. - Skater-girl is jamming her way into the political arena so Hernando gladiators need to watch out.

A local promotion artist threw her skate key into the ring to compete for District 3,  Hernando County Commission seat - the seat currently held by John Druzbick.  Her shtick is jamming on roller skates as she promotes local businesses at busy intersections in Hernando County.

Tanya Lee Marsh, 50,  is a newbie to the political arena.  As  a NPF candidate, she will move directly to the general election. She plans on using the petition method to get her name placed on the ballot.

Marsh is the owner of Tanya L. Marsh Promotions.  She gained the name of Skater-girl, jamming on sidewalks to promote local businesses.  She is a self-made woman who was once homeless, living in a tent in Hernando County.  She  attributes her good fortune in her religious beliefs. "Jesus brought me everything," Marsh says.

As a student at Hillsborough Community College in 1994, she studied criminology.  She attended HCC a second time to pursue a career in radio and television.  She labels herself  a crusader who eventually wants to host her own radio show.   She is quick to point out she doesn't want to make a career of politics.  She just wants to help everyday people, like herself, in the position of public servant.

"It's my time to support the people," Marsh says.  "It's my turn to help the people because I can see the stress in their eyes."

Increasing bus service is priority for Marsh.  She wants to see more mobility so residents can travel by bus to Pasco and Citrus Counties with ease.   She also wants to help people whom she has met in homeless camps to create jobs for them.

So, candidates, strap on your skates.  It's time to start this roller derby.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving to me is a time to reflect on family and friends who have impacted my life over the past year.  This year is no different.  Although my family has had a few bumps in the road, we have weathered the storm and have much to be thankful for.  Thanksgiving at our house will be filled with gratitude and laughter as we sit down as a family to enjoy our dinner.

I hope your day and life is as enriched as mine. 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 
Anna Liisa

Not planning on final goodbyes or not just yet.

Brooksville, Fla.- No plans have been made for retirement for the supervisor of elections even though she is on a short-timer's calendar.

When asked is she planned on running again in 2012, Hernando County Supervisor of Elections Annie Williams  says she isn't ready to say her final goodbyes or not just yet.  Williams, 55, has served her entire adult life in the supervisor of elections office.  She served as a clerk to former supervisor Ann Mau.  Williams was elected after Mau retired in 2000.

"I haven't made up my mind yet about retirement," Williams said.  "I still have some thinking to do about my future."

Williams entered the Florida "Deferred Retirement Drop Program" (DROP) which sets up future benefits while employees continue to work.  Once employees enter DROP all future retirement benefits stop and a 5-year deadline for retirement is imposed on the employee.  Williams did not say where she was in terms of remaining years in her DROP schedule.

Williams says she hasn't given much thought to retirement.  Her time has been spent fighting for more money for her budget.  She also says the increased cost of redistricting will add additional impact to her department.

"An announcement about my future will come soon," Williams said.  "It will probably come before the end of the year."

Changing political boundaries will cost taxpayers

Brooksville, Fla.-Redistricting plans for political boundary changes may cost Hernando County taxpayers more with different boundaries.


After heated debate on redistricting, Hernando County Commissioners directed county planning director, Ron Pianta, to reconfigure county commissioner districts for a new presentation at their December 3rd meeting.  Last minute changes were made to the redistricting maps after  candidate, Jason Sager objected to plans approved earlier at a joint-session workshop of county commissioners and school board members.


According to Hernando County Supervisor of Elections Annie Williams using different districts for school board and commissioners will require additional mailings from her office.  Williams indicated new voter identification cards must be sent to every voter who experiences a change in their voting districts after redistricting plans are made final.


"It will cost my office for additional mailings," Williams said. "My budget has already been slashed by former county administrator."


The NAACP also presented a plan to commissioners for consideration. Their plan was based civil rights legislation of "one person, one vote" under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.  Local NAACP maps were drawn without political consideration.  Their plan came within one percent population difference in all five districts using demographics based solely on population.


County legal staff explained the practice of gerrymandering at the joint-session workshop to brief the respective boards on their obligations.  Gerrymandering by definition is a practice in redistricting to create partisan or incumbent-protected districts to give political advantage to one group or person.


"I will request additional money for my budget from Hernando County Commissioners for the cost of mailing voter identification cards," Williams said.

Internet Blacklist

Just in case you missed the "Stop Censorship" note on Google search engine:


Spread the word
Will you take a moment to urge your friends to take a stand against this dangerous and short-sighted law? It’s as easy as posting this message on your social networking sites: 


Fight for free speech online - reject the Internet #Blacklist Legislation. https://eff.org/r.C8A  via @eff

And please copy this message to your friends (or just forward this email!):

Dear friend,

I just emailed Congress to urge them to oppose the Internet Blacklist Legislation, known as the PROTECT-IP Act in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House. This legislation seeks to give the executive branch power to conduct slash-and-burn campaigns against websites that allegedly host – or even link to – content that infringes on intellectual property rights. That would “disappear” whole domain names, fundamentally undermining Internet security, and/or choke off their financial support. The Internet Blacklist Legislation puts more sites than ever at risk, effectively upending the DMCA safe harbors that have been crucial to the growth of Internet innovation and creativity.

Sadly, these short-sighted and dangerous bills won’t do much to stop online infringement – but they will jeopardize our ability to speak and read online with the kind of freedom we cherish in the offline world. Deep-pocketed Hollywood lobbyists are aggressively pushing to control and censor the open Internet, willing to sacrifice free speech and our Internet culture in hopes of controlling how people view their movies and products.

We need to stop this bill before it goes any further. Will you contact your representatives in Congress and urge them to oppose the Internet Blacklist Legislation? Visit: https://eff.org/r.C8A

No new ideas at economic development workshop

Brooksville, Fla.- The economic development workshop illustrated an urgent need for county officials to be pro-active to attract new business to Hernando County.

For years economic experts warned Hernando County would become a bedroom community without a manufacturing and industrial job base.   The construction trades and home-based real estate business are struggling in the sluggish economy.  The discussion of panel members from business organizations and local government centered on programs already in place, not new ideas to improve economic conditions.

Pat Crowley, CEO of Hernando County Chamber of Commerce reviewed the Small Business Development Center with Valerie Pianta of Hernando County Office of Business and Development.  The program is offered free for start-up business advice with Jerry Karp, a certified business analyst from University of South Florida.

"Pat,what programs are in place to help existing businesses in our county, " Commissioner David Russell asked.

"Existing business usually wait until they are in dire straits before coming in for help," Crowley said.

Len Tria of Hernando Progress presented a short video from Hernando Summit.  In order to make Hernando County more competitive, it needs a more qualified workforce and market ready jobs,  according to Gregory Burkhart who was a guest speaker at the Summit.

According to Burkhart, Hernando County was not market ready.  In his opinion, it lacks a qualified workforce and infrastructure to be more competitive.  An electrical substation was noted by Burkhart as a immediate need to attracting industrial business to the Ridge Manor area.

Expansion of  electrical service with local power companies will  require agreements with new or expanding business service to cover associated costs.

Local business owner, Jesse Simms, of Composite Motors lamented on the lack of qualified workers.  He served on the original task force with Dr. Sanders to implement the curriculum for Nature Coast High School ten years ago.

"In hindsight, the county needs mechanical and electrical engineering classes for future job growth," Simms said, as he referred to his prior influence on Sanders' task force.

Tax collector undecided

Brooksville, Fla. - Hernando County Tax Collector is considering her options as several of her fellow constitutional officers plan their respective retirements as their terms expire. 


As Hernando County Property Appraiser Alvin Mazourek and Clerk of Court Karen Nicolai announce their retirements, Juanita Sikes is taking time to reflect on her future options as tax collector.  New changes to state law has increased the work load for her employees which requires her office to conduct driver's license exams. But Sikes has taken the role in stride. 


Sikes was quick to act on the US98 driver's license office as the state vacated the building in October.  She was able to move her personnel into a ready-made facility.   After changes to state law, an additional 2,000 customers needing drivers licenses used Tax Collector's office in Spring Hill in August causing some confusion.  With the opening of  US98 facility, Sikes says the customers are now being better served with their appointments for driver's license renewals. 


The tax collector's office work load has an anticipated annual increase of 25,000 additional customers  with the implementation of drivers license examinations. But Sikes said her decision to run again in 2012 will be based on her personal decision - a decision to based on what's best for her and her family.


"I don't know what I'll  do this time," Sikes said.  I have considered retiring, but have not made up my mind yet." 


Sikes' husband would like to see her retire after the completion of her term.  He retired in 2005, but Sikes says they have considerations just like anyone else.  Her primary concern is the enormous cost of health insurance because she won't be eligible for Medicare for a few more years. 


"I'm not even  60-years old and don't know if I'm ready to retire," Sikes said.

Hello Hernando County!

Welcome to the inaugural post to my new blog.  Hernando Journal is forum for local news, feature stories and just plain, opinion columns.  All comments will be welcomed except those that contain foul language.  Everyone should be able to get their point across without having a potty mouth.

So sit back, strap on your seat belt, and let's get cracking. ...