In every election there are disappoints whether it be the a national, state or local candidate. The broadest perspective places the voting for the President of the United States of more importance than all other political contests, followed by other national contests, namely Congressional races.
Getting closer to home, the selection of state representatives will shape the direction of where and how taxpayer dollars will be spent.
It’s the local elections that can make the biggest difference in the next four years. County and city candidates have a large control of the landscape of your daily living and what the view outside your front door will be.
In my singular opinion, there’s a sense of regret that the most outspoken and un-molded personality will no longer be among the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners.
Although I fail to understand the importance of the political party affiliation of local officials, it’s the branding of the reds and blues of elected representatives that gives me cause to pause and dwell on the implications that will follow the two defeated Democrats, Chris Kingsley and Diane Rowden. Their lives will go on as will that of the rest of us and yet there’s a sense of loss that’ll bring a time of adjustment.
Chris is an exceptional neighborhood friend and has been considerate of issues most important to constituents. I’ve taken a bit of interest in the goings on in the County these past two years, since Election Day 2006, and feel a loss for what will be his lack of input in making local decisions. His vocal inquiries at County hearings always seemed timely and appropriate.
Diane is a woman consistently vocal in her opinions, taking issue with unabashed determination to make her individuality something of contention to get down to the nitty gritty. Chances have often been 4 to 1 that her viewpoints would be different from the mold of special interests. She hasn’t always displayed the kindest of expressions but, while some people have expressed a certain dislike (without giving specifics because they’re “too numerous”), others have placed her among the best at listening, responding and taking action when warranted.
Diane has been the sole Board member consistently expressing a concern about the too often acceptance of one development after another. I’m talking the Hickory, the Sunrise and the Hideaway decisions. Those decisions are not what I call “forward thinking”. S.O.S.O comes to mind.
Jeff Stabins, in spite of running as a Republican, which I write in jest, remains fully seated for the next four years. He’s still my District 1 Manager, so to speak. Actually, I’d be pleased to nominate his placement as permanent Chairman with his quirky comments and, at times, attire. Nonetheless, he has a mind of his own and makes it known.
Change is good, otherwise this great nation wouldn’t be the leader of this planet called Earth.
I was more in line with the recommendations of the Hernando Times than Hernando Today on local candidates but on this Day 1 after the General Election all is not lost to the past.
James Adkins and John Druzbik will join the Board alongside Rose Rocco and David Russell. Congratulations to both. Whatever influence on future changes in the County, no one can doubt their sincere goals to make Hernando a better community.
I can’t help but make reference to Rose. She must feel the lonely one. She’s a minority of 1 times 2 – a woman and a Democrat. Stand firm, dear lady. Two years on may bring an opponent too familiar to the Board – a Republican man. Stand firm, indeed!
Showing posts with label Rose Rocco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rose Rocco. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Fussing Over the Budget
Let the Budget Hearings begin! It’s that time of year again when Hernando County residents find out how the local government intends to spend those hard-earned dollars that go toward property taxes. This will become known as “The Year Of The Fussbudget”. Succeeding years will have a roman numeral.
On that cold day in January, when Florida voters gave Amendment 1 the right of passage, local and state economies are just now about to take interested residents through the economic abyss of fire and brimstone. Property tax reductions mean cutting government jobs and services. Perhaps there will also be some discussion on how to bring in an alternative revenue source that can take a bit of the bite out of the affects of a restricted budget.
Freshman County Administrator Dave Hamilton is seeking approval to hold public meetings to give residents the opportunity to be an integral part of the budget process by letting them air out their wants and have-nots. It’s like nitpicking or removing lint off a wool sweater. Residents would be given the opportunity to pick away at parasitic expenditures and the fluff of government spending.
Hamilton has prior Administrator experience in Crow Wing, Minnesota. His comrade is Budget Director George Zoettlein. I can envision them having spent hours in running over some preliminary numbers, making preparations for the public meetings, coming up with a game plan and standing up, giving each other a high-five while shouting out the battle cry “Let’s DO IT!”
That’s not likely but that level of adrenalin might be needed to get through the budget hearings. Right now, they’re the most important of all public servants. The public of Hernando County will be doggin’ him around through a process to decide who will get their wants and what services will become have-nots.
Hamilton must already realize some residents will place at the top of the “black list” the annual raises given to government employees. The suggestion was submitted during last year’s budget hearings but, as the Commission clearly explained, it’s mandated by the state.
Apparently, the no-raise option is written in stone, making it a mute subject. Complain at the dinner table but not at the hearings. Force reduction will be the primary
THE Bus will be a major object of contention. To discontinue the operation of public transportation would put a hardship on the elder, the infirm and other unfortunate citizens, creating situations where health problems are likely to be remain untreated. Making trips for food and other life necessities, such as providing food for the table, would become other objects of concern. Denying those in need of low cost public transportation denies people a means of having mobility. They would feel left behind, outcasts to society.
Low ridership on THE Bus has, in part, been attributed to the limited routes and existing schedules. Since THE Bus has proven to have been poorly planned and much too costly, alternatives should be in order. Perhaps the use of vans would afford additional routes. They would be less expensive and reduce pollution. The could be called “Da VAN”. Less expense. Less pollution. Funding may be a problem but the idea may warrant consideration.
In this election year, it should be rather intriguing with Commissioners Kingsley, Rowden and Stabins up for reelection. Each of them has been a participant of willy-nilly spending of tax dollars over the past few years. Commissioners Rocco and Russell are serving terms that began January 2007 so they’re in an enviable position that by Election Day 2010 the economy will be on the mend and their challenges may be less taxing, so to speak.
There’s an aforethought that the hearings will have a good degree of dramatics. An array of candidates will play the role of spoilers to the incumbent commissioners. These are the ones to watch as they try to position themselves to gain supporters. Hopefully they will follow protocol, adhering to the allotted three minutes of prime time speaking. Dribble talk isn’t needed. Criticizing, pointing fingers and making token suggestions that others have already made won’t make the grade. Without offering solutions, their words may give pause to their political aspirations.
Of course, reducing or eliminating services, thus employees, will be the main topic at the public workshops where everything can be put on the chopping block. It will be a tedious process, perhaps better presented to citizens with current line-by-line expenditures with residents given the option of using the veto process. A show of hands would prove less obstructive than people yelling Yeas and Nays.
Although the prospect may not be presented at the workshops, but somewhere along the budget process, Hamilton will propose the option of importing State and Federal prisoners from elsewhere as a last stop before being transferred to a penitentiary. Select local low-risk public offenders would be released with ankle bracelets, making space available for prisons that will bring in funds from State and Federals governments.
An estimated $1-million in payments are anticipated. This won’t solve the budget crisis but it would lessen the agony of slashing the $2.6-million shortfall of available funds.
Hamilton started discussion of worked with law enforcements in his job as Administrator in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, where the population is but a third as much in Hernando. St. Cloud is an hour south with a population another third of who live in Hernando. Brainerd, the county seat in Crow Wing, is one and two hours from St. Cloud and two hours from Minnesota/St. Paul. Although the population in these cities rival that of Tampa/St. Pete , Tampa is 40 miles from The Hernando County Jail. Closer proximity to a metropolitan area means more prison traffic.
It’s no secret that jail mates do their primary networking while incarcerated. These prisoners would be a risky breed to mix with those with lesser charges. This would be a valid concern for residents living within close proximity to the jail. Notification letters would be in order.
Identifying and gaining support for reducing government spending will be a slow, painful process. County Administrator Dave Hamilton appears to be ready for the challenge, the first of many. I hope he’s good at dodge ball; flexibility and resilience will be needed as citizens are ready to play kickball.
On that cold day in January, when Florida voters gave Amendment 1 the right of passage, local and state economies are just now about to take interested residents through the economic abyss of fire and brimstone. Property tax reductions mean cutting government jobs and services. Perhaps there will also be some discussion on how to bring in an alternative revenue source that can take a bit of the bite out of the affects of a restricted budget.
Freshman County Administrator Dave Hamilton is seeking approval to hold public meetings to give residents the opportunity to be an integral part of the budget process by letting them air out their wants and have-nots. It’s like nitpicking or removing lint off a wool sweater. Residents would be given the opportunity to pick away at parasitic expenditures and the fluff of government spending.
Hamilton has prior Administrator experience in Crow Wing, Minnesota. His comrade is Budget Director George Zoettlein. I can envision them having spent hours in running over some preliminary numbers, making preparations for the public meetings, coming up with a game plan and standing up, giving each other a high-five while shouting out the battle cry “Let’s DO IT!”
That’s not likely but that level of adrenalin might be needed to get through the budget hearings. Right now, they’re the most important of all public servants. The public of Hernando County will be doggin’ him around through a process to decide who will get their wants and what services will become have-nots.
Hamilton must already realize some residents will place at the top of the “black list” the annual raises given to government employees. The suggestion was submitted during last year’s budget hearings but, as the Commission clearly explained, it’s mandated by the state.
Apparently, the no-raise option is written in stone, making it a mute subject. Complain at the dinner table but not at the hearings. Force reduction will be the primary
THE Bus will be a major object of contention. To discontinue the operation of public transportation would put a hardship on the elder, the infirm and other unfortunate citizens, creating situations where health problems are likely to be remain untreated. Making trips for food and other life necessities, such as providing food for the table, would become other objects of concern. Denying those in need of low cost public transportation denies people a means of having mobility. They would feel left behind, outcasts to society.
Low ridership on THE Bus has, in part, been attributed to the limited routes and existing schedules. Since THE Bus has proven to have been poorly planned and much too costly, alternatives should be in order. Perhaps the use of vans would afford additional routes. They would be less expensive and reduce pollution. The could be called “Da VAN”. Less expense. Less pollution. Funding may be a problem but the idea may warrant consideration.
In this election year, it should be rather intriguing with Commissioners Kingsley, Rowden and Stabins up for reelection. Each of them has been a participant of willy-nilly spending of tax dollars over the past few years. Commissioners Rocco and Russell are serving terms that began January 2007 so they’re in an enviable position that by Election Day 2010 the economy will be on the mend and their challenges may be less taxing, so to speak.
There’s an aforethought that the hearings will have a good degree of dramatics. An array of candidates will play the role of spoilers to the incumbent commissioners. These are the ones to watch as they try to position themselves to gain supporters. Hopefully they will follow protocol, adhering to the allotted three minutes of prime time speaking. Dribble talk isn’t needed. Criticizing, pointing fingers and making token suggestions that others have already made won’t make the grade. Without offering solutions, their words may give pause to their political aspirations.
Of course, reducing or eliminating services, thus employees, will be the main topic at the public workshops where everything can be put on the chopping block. It will be a tedious process, perhaps better presented to citizens with current line-by-line expenditures with residents given the option of using the veto process. A show of hands would prove less obstructive than people yelling Yeas and Nays.
Although the prospect may not be presented at the workshops, but somewhere along the budget process, Hamilton will propose the option of importing State and Federal prisoners from elsewhere as a last stop before being transferred to a penitentiary. Select local low-risk public offenders would be released with ankle bracelets, making space available for prisons that will bring in funds from State and Federals governments.
An estimated $1-million in payments are anticipated. This won’t solve the budget crisis but it would lessen the agony of slashing the $2.6-million shortfall of available funds.
Hamilton started discussion of worked with law enforcements in his job as Administrator in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, where the population is but a third as much in Hernando. St. Cloud is an hour south with a population another third of who live in Hernando. Brainerd, the county seat in Crow Wing, is one and two hours from St. Cloud and two hours from Minnesota/St. Paul. Although the population in these cities rival that of Tampa/St. Pete , Tampa is 40 miles from The Hernando County Jail. Closer proximity to a metropolitan area means more prison traffic.
It’s no secret that jail mates do their primary networking while incarcerated. These prisoners would be a risky breed to mix with those with lesser charges. This would be a valid concern for residents living within close proximity to the jail. Notification letters would be in order.
Identifying and gaining support for reducing government spending will be a slow, painful process. County Administrator Dave Hamilton appears to be ready for the challenge, the first of many. I hope he’s good at dodge ball; flexibility and resilience will be needed as citizens are ready to play kickball.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Non-Commissioned Intuition
Too much is being made of the tuition reimbursements for which Commissioner Chris Kingsley has been found to be improperly authorized by county employees who should have known better. Give the guy a break and allow Hernando County Attorney Garth Coller and his staff to wallow through the legal matters. Give Hernando County Administrator Dave Hamilton the task of implementing the correct procedures as dictated by the wording of the State Constitution. Dave hasn’t had but a few moments to catch his breath with all the challenges he has inherited since the start of his position on March 17.
There was no coercion on the part of Commissioner Kingsley to receive the authorization to seek reimbursement for the college courses he had chosen to give him better insight in effectively perform his duties for the citizens of Hernando County. Chris was quick to return the $3,682 tuition assistance moneys. There’s nothing else for him to do.
Kingsley understandably views his duties as an employee of the county. He works for the betterment of the citizens of Hernando County, but his employer is actually the State of Florida. His refusal to offer an apology is admirable. He did nothing wrong in applying for reimbursement. In light of all the other questionable decisions made by former HR Director Barbara Dupre, it’s surprising why everyone views Chris as a culprit in this matter.
It seems no sooner had Michael D. Bates reported the story in Hernando Today that Kingsley satisfied what has turned out to be a loan. His quick response shows the honesty of a responsible citizen and should be given respect rather than criticism for a situation he did not instigate.
Do you not recollect that during the budget conference held in Orlando last fall he funded his own expenses? At that time, he rightly offered no apology for what was an assumption that he had used taxpayer moneys.
Policies and procedures are often put to question only when an unfamiliar situation arises. Such is the case with tuition reimbursement. Chris was the first county commissioner to apply for the benefit. It has now been deemed inappropriate. Call it a clarification of practices.
No one can possibly have forgotten the legal battle that ensued after Rose Rocco won the popular vote for the commission in the 2006 election seat held by Nancy Robinson. Just recently the Florida Supreme Court gave the final ruling that a candidate doesn’t have to reside in the district of which a candidate is elected until the voting is validated. It took a full year and a half to resolve the issue. It was a shame that Rose was forced to seek legal council at her own expense but the matter has been resolved and never again will there be cause to question the residency issue.
In this case, the question of tuition reimbursement has been ruled a benefit not given to an elected official. Karen Nicolai, County Circuit Court Clerk, was quick to take actions to ensure her staff reviews all expenditures before authorizing any request for county funds. The checks and balances of the past were lax; they won’t be in the future.
In the words fo Benjamin Franklin, "If a man empties his purse into his head, no man take take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."
"An individual's education should end only at death." So says Ron Rae.
As explained by Chris, seeking continued education is a win-win situation for the individual and a great asset to the employer as long as it pertains to the position held by the individual. Unfortunately for Chris, he must seek approval of such benefits from his real employer, the State of Florida.
I applaud Kingsley for his initiative to make his position something other than a job that doesn't require any form of education. Hernando residents are better served by a public servant knowledgable of business administration schooling. How that knowledge is used for the betterment of the county determines whether or not voters give him a passing grade point average.
This is not the time to bog him down, or any member, of the Commission with this trivial matter. In the coming weeks, county budget hearings will begin, of which must be given primary attention. This distraction is detrimental to the transition that Hernando County must make to balance the budget.
Leave him to performing his constitutional duties. Give him leave of this controversy. Let him pursue continued education at his own expense. Hernando County is deserving of his successes in schooling. He is not deserving of the criticisms laid upon him.
There was no coercion on the part of Commissioner Kingsley to receive the authorization to seek reimbursement for the college courses he had chosen to give him better insight in effectively perform his duties for the citizens of Hernando County. Chris was quick to return the $3,682 tuition assistance moneys. There’s nothing else for him to do.
Kingsley understandably views his duties as an employee of the county. He works for the betterment of the citizens of Hernando County, but his employer is actually the State of Florida. His refusal to offer an apology is admirable. He did nothing wrong in applying for reimbursement. In light of all the other questionable decisions made by former HR Director Barbara Dupre, it’s surprising why everyone views Chris as a culprit in this matter.
It seems no sooner had Michael D. Bates reported the story in Hernando Today that Kingsley satisfied what has turned out to be a loan. His quick response shows the honesty of a responsible citizen and should be given respect rather than criticism for a situation he did not instigate.
Do you not recollect that during the budget conference held in Orlando last fall he funded his own expenses? At that time, he rightly offered no apology for what was an assumption that he had used taxpayer moneys.
Policies and procedures are often put to question only when an unfamiliar situation arises. Such is the case with tuition reimbursement. Chris was the first county commissioner to apply for the benefit. It has now been deemed inappropriate. Call it a clarification of practices.
No one can possibly have forgotten the legal battle that ensued after Rose Rocco won the popular vote for the commission in the 2006 election seat held by Nancy Robinson. Just recently the Florida Supreme Court gave the final ruling that a candidate doesn’t have to reside in the district of which a candidate is elected until the voting is validated. It took a full year and a half to resolve the issue. It was a shame that Rose was forced to seek legal council at her own expense but the matter has been resolved and never again will there be cause to question the residency issue.
In this case, the question of tuition reimbursement has been ruled a benefit not given to an elected official. Karen Nicolai, County Circuit Court Clerk, was quick to take actions to ensure her staff reviews all expenditures before authorizing any request for county funds. The checks and balances of the past were lax; they won’t be in the future.
In the words fo Benjamin Franklin, "If a man empties his purse into his head, no man take take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."
"An individual's education should end only at death." So says Ron Rae.
As explained by Chris, seeking continued education is a win-win situation for the individual and a great asset to the employer as long as it pertains to the position held by the individual. Unfortunately for Chris, he must seek approval of such benefits from his real employer, the State of Florida.
I applaud Kingsley for his initiative to make his position something other than a job that doesn't require any form of education. Hernando residents are better served by a public servant knowledgable of business administration schooling. How that knowledge is used for the betterment of the county determines whether or not voters give him a passing grade point average.
This is not the time to bog him down, or any member, of the Commission with this trivial matter. In the coming weeks, county budget hearings will begin, of which must be given primary attention. This distraction is detrimental to the transition that Hernando County must make to balance the budget.
Leave him to performing his constitutional duties. Give him leave of this controversy. Let him pursue continued education at his own expense. Hernando County is deserving of his successes in schooling. He is not deserving of the criticisms laid upon him.
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