I began gambling at age 23, greener than a dollar bill at planning my financial security. I knew chances of winning were against me but I succumbed to the temptation strictly because newly found friends had invited me to participate in what they viewed as entertainment at the Sanford-Hernando Kennel Club.
It was then that I was faced with placing my hard earned dollars across a betting window at the Sanford-Orlando Kennel Club. It was also then that I came to appreciate the exquisite, intelligent design of greyhounds. They’re not as stately as horses but their physique is envious. If only I could have a waistline like that proportionate to my stature!
I had no idea what I was doing. The racing form was filled with an array of numbers - a history of past wins, places and shows – plus body weights and daily odds. It was all gobbledygook to me. So I resorted to placing my first bet solely on a hunch by the name of the greyhound. There was no rationale whatsoever. Regardless, my chances of winning were about as good as they could get.
I was standing in line, anticipating my initial experience at a betting window. Yes, I was a bit nervous. When I got to the betting window, I made my choice. With the noisy distractions of the crowd, I thought he couldn’t hear me so I repeated the numbers.
When he said, “four dollars”, I was speechless. I hadn’t intended to double the risk factor but here I was with two tickets with the same numbers. This was a very costly mistake. I gambled twice as much as I had wanted, now 20% of my overall acceptable risk.
I couldn’t share my faux pas with my friends. I was alarmed, ready to call it a day at the races and leave, but I put on a show of anticipated joy. I soon heard the words, “Watch the bunny” with an inflection similar to “Here’s Johnny”.
It wasn’t one of those moments when nervous tension makes it seem like time has come to a standstill. Before I knew it, the race was over and my dog was the winner! Momentarily speechless, my jubilation was soon apparent when I announced to my friends that beginner’s “luck of the Scottish” had made me a winner. The tickets rewarded me with $45 each! By the end of the day, I was still pleased to go home with a good amount of winnings in my pocket.
Since then I’ve been taken to a floating gambling casino in Illinois, the Santa Anita Race Track and a few visits to Las Vegas. My biggest win came in 1989 shortly after moving back to Florida after a ten-year period of personal mobility. The moves were risky in themselves but I always came out ahead. This time, I had beaten the odds of choosing five out of six numbers in the Florida Lottery. I cashed in on $1200 in winnings! Today’s dollar values would make it twice as much.
Since then, lady luck has avoided me, most recently putting my financial security at undeserving risk. With no exception, every homeowner in Florida is unjustly in the same situation.
The cause? First it was Jeb. Charlie has followed suit. Citizens Property Insurance is the culprit, drummed up by the Florida Legislature in 2002 for homeowners unable to otherwise obtain coverage in high-risk (coastal) areas.
When I recently reviewed my insurance renewal charges I decided to check out other options for coverage. Come to find out, since few companies are writing new policies, my sole option would be Citizens. My insurance agent forewarned me that Citizens’ rates are currently frozen. In 2010 the fees will most likely double. I nixed the idea, just as I did with thoughts of increasing the hurricane deductible from $2K to $10K. I could save about $500 in yearly premiums. I heard a voice telling me “Don’t do it!” It wasn’t my subconscious telling me - I was talking out loud to myself.
Like a jilted lover, private insurers are most likely to refuse to take back homeowners who choose to switch to the government-owned competitor.
The problem is that politicians and lobbyists in Tallahassee are clueless on risk management. Casino gambling is an individual’s choice but when it comes to protecting the value of a home it’s more than just poor judgment blatant disregard for the financial well being of the homeowner.
Forgoing flood insurance coverage when you’re not in a flood zone is one thing but eliminating sinkhole coverage could be a living nightmare to a homeowner. When you live in a state that assumes the risk of a heavy hurricane season without having sufficient funds to pay for claims, the additional liability is eventually billed to its citizens.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Running On Fumes
This past week the price that investors pay for crude-oil futures slid upward to more than $140 per barrel. The significance of the increase will accentuate the hardships of parents who transports kids to school events, charitable organizations whose volunteers deliver essentials to the needy, school districts whose bus expenses have already put thoughts of putting the lives of children at risk by making them walk to their schools, pizza delivery employees whose tips may be insufficient to warrant the limited monetary compensation they already receive… and residents of Hernando County who work outside the area.
The pay may be an attractive draw to seek and maintain employment in Pasco and Hillsboro Counties, but these commuters are going to be hit hard in their pocketbooks. With the cost of most everything else going up and the challenges of paying property taxes and homeowner insurance premiums there’ll little left to spend on what the Federal Governments expects from citizens to spur the economy.
The only means of people to purchase anything other than the essentials for their families will be by credit card. The Fed can lower the prime rate to zero and you can bet your life savings that interest rates on those plastics devils won’t go much below 15%. Heck, even with an excellent credit score, the worst culprit of my credit purchase woes is Bank of America. Others are currently charging less but those introductory rates have an ending date that I may not remember and, worse, the loan holders doesn’t supply on the monthly statements.
There are many Americans whose credit ratings put their interest rates above 20% or default rates that even higher.
Let me go back a few paragraphs where I mentioned there are a good number of Hernando County residents working outside the area. Their numbers equal about 34% of the County’s residents. Let’s say the average commuter put 40 miles on their vehicle to get to work, double that for a round trip then multiply by the 5-day workweek. That’s 400 miles per week.
The cost of gas is currently $4.00 or more per gallon. The vehicle gets 25 miles per gallon so the expense in gas would be $100 every month. The cost of car maintenance and repairs will surely go up but can’t be avoided to keep the machine at its best performance.
If there are thoughts of a new vehicle, forget it. The cost of my auto insurance just went up 10% from a year ago – no tickets, no accidents, no claims. A ’95 truck and an ’03 car. The telephone rep explained the increase was due to the cost of repairs and/or claims in the County. I didn’t feel safe in lowering the coverage so I fudged a bit about my estimated annual mileage.
If you think the cost of gasoline couldn’t get much worse, take into consideration that investors in oil futures expect the price of crude to reach two hundred dollars - $200 by the end of 2008, easily making the cost of gasoline go up another dollar. As the cost of petroleum goes up, so do the prices of nearly everything we Americans take for granted. And, as prices go up, the Dow will go down.
Whenever anyone suggests the slump in the economy will correct itself in a couple of years, I just don’t see it happening. After a dismal December for retail stores, January figures showed a pitiful gain of .4% - just a little more than nothing. Then I read that retail sales include gasoline. Without the increase of the price of gasoline, retail sales would have been less than zero over the prior month!
In a county that relies on retail, construction and property tax revenues, Hernando County has three strikes against its economic well-being. With a new administrator or not, there are some hefty challenges in the foreseeable future. It’ll be quite some time before new homes are built, thus construction laborers will have plenty of idle time in their lives to do whatever else is available to give them entertainment.
Workers are often displaced for lack of need in their chosen fields of employment and must seek other endeavors to achieve a measure of success in their lives. It’s a rude awakening but when survival is at stake. Only the brave and venturous shall inherit the paycheck.
The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners and their “constituents of interest” need to get off their doo-dads and plan for a future that replace ho-hum doldrums jobs with ones with real-time wages. Without the guidance and consideration of any and all the people of influence in Hernando County, a solid economic future cannot be resurrected from the past decade of housing growth.
At one point the County had a tank full of gas - now it’s running on fumes, about to stall out.
The pay may be an attractive draw to seek and maintain employment in Pasco and Hillsboro Counties, but these commuters are going to be hit hard in their pocketbooks. With the cost of most everything else going up and the challenges of paying property taxes and homeowner insurance premiums there’ll little left to spend on what the Federal Governments expects from citizens to spur the economy.
The only means of people to purchase anything other than the essentials for their families will be by credit card. The Fed can lower the prime rate to zero and you can bet your life savings that interest rates on those plastics devils won’t go much below 15%. Heck, even with an excellent credit score, the worst culprit of my credit purchase woes is Bank of America. Others are currently charging less but those introductory rates have an ending date that I may not remember and, worse, the loan holders doesn’t supply on the monthly statements.
There are many Americans whose credit ratings put their interest rates above 20% or default rates that even higher.
Let me go back a few paragraphs where I mentioned there are a good number of Hernando County residents working outside the area. Their numbers equal about 34% of the County’s residents. Let’s say the average commuter put 40 miles on their vehicle to get to work, double that for a round trip then multiply by the 5-day workweek. That’s 400 miles per week.
The cost of gas is currently $4.00 or more per gallon. The vehicle gets 25 miles per gallon so the expense in gas would be $100 every month. The cost of car maintenance and repairs will surely go up but can’t be avoided to keep the machine at its best performance.
If there are thoughts of a new vehicle, forget it. The cost of my auto insurance just went up 10% from a year ago – no tickets, no accidents, no claims. A ’95 truck and an ’03 car. The telephone rep explained the increase was due to the cost of repairs and/or claims in the County. I didn’t feel safe in lowering the coverage so I fudged a bit about my estimated annual mileage.
If you think the cost of gasoline couldn’t get much worse, take into consideration that investors in oil futures expect the price of crude to reach two hundred dollars - $200 by the end of 2008, easily making the cost of gasoline go up another dollar. As the cost of petroleum goes up, so do the prices of nearly everything we Americans take for granted. And, as prices go up, the Dow will go down.
Whenever anyone suggests the slump in the economy will correct itself in a couple of years, I just don’t see it happening. After a dismal December for retail stores, January figures showed a pitiful gain of .4% - just a little more than nothing. Then I read that retail sales include gasoline. Without the increase of the price of gasoline, retail sales would have been less than zero over the prior month!
In a county that relies on retail, construction and property tax revenues, Hernando County has three strikes against its economic well-being. With a new administrator or not, there are some hefty challenges in the foreseeable future. It’ll be quite some time before new homes are built, thus construction laborers will have plenty of idle time in their lives to do whatever else is available to give them entertainment.
Workers are often displaced for lack of need in their chosen fields of employment and must seek other endeavors to achieve a measure of success in their lives. It’s a rude awakening but when survival is at stake. Only the brave and venturous shall inherit the paycheck.
The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners and their “constituents of interest” need to get off their doo-dads and plan for a future that replace ho-hum doldrums jobs with ones with real-time wages. Without the guidance and consideration of any and all the people of influence in Hernando County, a solid economic future cannot be resurrected from the past decade of housing growth.
At one point the County had a tank full of gas - now it’s running on fumes, about to stall out.
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Shopping Cart Is Half Full
As I reflect on the proceedings of the county budget workshop at the Ridge Manor Community Center on May 15, it brings to mind the similarity to a shopper’s quest to carefully choose items from an array of products and services. The selections for consideration were thoughtfully presented among the group of citizens who by far outnumbered the county employees on hand.
The atmosphere was of one of calm resolve, whereby the participants not only viewed the display of facts and figures of county expenditures of today but were also given comparable numbers of years gone by. The six and seven digit dollar amounts of the different baskets of funding were daunting to say the least, but the percentages of increases and decreases of the number put into perspective how appropriations of taxpayer contributions are varied.
I prefer bar graphs to show the change in allocations of moneys, but the pie charts were very effective to bring an understanding of what services take a bigger chunk out of the accumulation of tax dollars. Each piece of the pie is being placed on a plate, ready to be sliced into different portions, some of which will have to be thrown away in a wastebasket because the overall size of the pastry has to be reduced. Sections of the crust a now burnt offerings that won’t fit well when the excess fruit filling is discarded, much of which has turned sour to the taste buds of taxpayers.
In the end, our chefs, the Board of County Commissioners, have the task of concocting a more just dessert of mincemeats. Amendment 1 and fewer tax dollars demand a recipe with less sugar content be replaced with a healthier serving of local government spending.
County Administrator Dave Hamilton has done an excellent job of speaking person-to-person, looking eye-to-eye with concerned residents and listening ear-to-ear to resolve the painful process of bringing expenditures in line with available funds.
As he stood at the podium, he often relinquished the microphone to other county employees to further explain what and how county funds are currently distributed.
Dave admits his two months on the job haven’t given him time to know the ins and outs of the needs of Hernando County as compared to his experience in the same position in Crow Wing, Minnesota.
I am impressed. As he has successfully put his trust in the assistance of county employees to explain the complexity of the county budget, so should we put our faith in his leadership abilities to lead us to a more sound economic future.
I learned that there is a considerable amount of state and federal grants that provide funding for a variety of services. The meeting couldn’t allow time for specifics but the awareness should lead to more information and understanding during the 2008-2009 Budget Hearings held in June.
The workshop discussions at the Ridge Manor site are as unique as those held at the Brooksville site two weeks ago. I hadn’t expected such diversity, which gives me a woeful feeling for having been able to attend the meeting in Istachatta.
Another observation at Ridge Manor has to do with a small group of ladies who didn’t participate in the discussions but were nonetheless attentive to what was being said. The attendance of the four teenagers hinted that youthful residents have a vested interest in their futures as Hernando County adults. They might no realize their importance but I hope they will consider discussions with their schoolmates about the experience. Perhaps some would attend the Budget Hearings next month. Their involvement in local government would be an honorable contribution. Their parents wouldn’t be the only ones to take pride in their words of thought.
If a change is in fact gonna come, it will the choice of the young and restless to challenge us over-the-hill gang with fresh ideas for it is they who will take over where those who proceeded them left off and decide what is and what will be.
There are three shopping days left. Each of the remaining Thursdays in May have scheduled budget workshops. The shopping cart is only half full. It’s large enough to accommodate as many ideas and comments that shoppers can place in the cart. Not long from now Dave Hamilton will take the shopping list and “proceed to checkout”.
The atmosphere was of one of calm resolve, whereby the participants not only viewed the display of facts and figures of county expenditures of today but were also given comparable numbers of years gone by. The six and seven digit dollar amounts of the different baskets of funding were daunting to say the least, but the percentages of increases and decreases of the number put into perspective how appropriations of taxpayer contributions are varied.
I prefer bar graphs to show the change in allocations of moneys, but the pie charts were very effective to bring an understanding of what services take a bigger chunk out of the accumulation of tax dollars. Each piece of the pie is being placed on a plate, ready to be sliced into different portions, some of which will have to be thrown away in a wastebasket because the overall size of the pastry has to be reduced. Sections of the crust a now burnt offerings that won’t fit well when the excess fruit filling is discarded, much of which has turned sour to the taste buds of taxpayers.
In the end, our chefs, the Board of County Commissioners, have the task of concocting a more just dessert of mincemeats. Amendment 1 and fewer tax dollars demand a recipe with less sugar content be replaced with a healthier serving of local government spending.
County Administrator Dave Hamilton has done an excellent job of speaking person-to-person, looking eye-to-eye with concerned residents and listening ear-to-ear to resolve the painful process of bringing expenditures in line with available funds.
As he stood at the podium, he often relinquished the microphone to other county employees to further explain what and how county funds are currently distributed.
Dave admits his two months on the job haven’t given him time to know the ins and outs of the needs of Hernando County as compared to his experience in the same position in Crow Wing, Minnesota.
I am impressed. As he has successfully put his trust in the assistance of county employees to explain the complexity of the county budget, so should we put our faith in his leadership abilities to lead us to a more sound economic future.
I learned that there is a considerable amount of state and federal grants that provide funding for a variety of services. The meeting couldn’t allow time for specifics but the awareness should lead to more information and understanding during the 2008-2009 Budget Hearings held in June.
The workshop discussions at the Ridge Manor site are as unique as those held at the Brooksville site two weeks ago. I hadn’t expected such diversity, which gives me a woeful feeling for having been able to attend the meeting in Istachatta.
Another observation at Ridge Manor has to do with a small group of ladies who didn’t participate in the discussions but were nonetheless attentive to what was being said. The attendance of the four teenagers hinted that youthful residents have a vested interest in their futures as Hernando County adults. They might no realize their importance but I hope they will consider discussions with their schoolmates about the experience. Perhaps some would attend the Budget Hearings next month. Their involvement in local government would be an honorable contribution. Their parents wouldn’t be the only ones to take pride in their words of thought.
If a change is in fact gonna come, it will the choice of the young and restless to challenge us over-the-hill gang with fresh ideas for it is they who will take over where those who proceeded them left off and decide what is and what will be.
There are three shopping days left. Each of the remaining Thursdays in May have scheduled budget workshops. The shopping cart is only half full. It’s large enough to accommodate as many ideas and comments that shoppers can place in the cart. Not long from now Dave Hamilton will take the shopping list and “proceed to checkout”.
Budget Squawk Talk
The first of a series of 2008-2009 budget workshops was disappointing in the number of citizens who attended, which was close to the number of county employees. Those who maintain indifference toward the town hall meetings to address the issue of spending cuts for the coming year's Hernando County budget either don’t care or don’t know about the meetings. I hope the latter is the case but then many would still be among the former.
Of the people who spoke, their points were all valid. No one can be wrong when budgets are discussed. A good number of speakers had the same theme: the South Brooksville contamination site. Apparently the County had set an open-ended deadline for the cleanup. Two decades hasn’t been quite enough time.
Three speakers bamboozled me with their insights.
Joe Lemieux’s handiwork came in the form of placards with outdated numbers showing the compensation given to county managers. Each of their salaries has increased this past year. Other words he spoke made it clear the disgust he feels toward ill-spent taxpayer moneys. Foolish me, I misinterpreted his presentation as a podium for a bid as County Commissioner. As it turned out, he was just trying to help every taxpayer with responsible cuts in county expenses. You can call him Citizen Joe.
Then there was the lady, Anna Trinque, who was adamant that the county should reduce, or at least limit, the acreage of public lands. Her vision sees a flourish of new housing construction that would bolster the economy. Those days are over for the time being.
Perhaps a few thousand homeowners with For Sale signs could point out there are plenty of vacancies with unfulfilled opportunities of being sold. Property taxes won’t help the local economy as it has in the past. Those lost tax dollars will have to be replaced with higher impact fees to fully cover the costs of providing county services and road upgrades.
I was convinced she was running for County Commissioner. Not so. She turned out to be a self-interested real estate agent.
There was a gentleman, Mike Gladfelter, with an idea to bring alternative revenues to the county budget. He suggested cloning a Port Richie cost recovery program, which would collect automobile accident investigation fees from insurance companies of at-fault drivers. How much this could save the county wasn’t presented. Investigations would still be handled by the sheriff’s department; the billing would be outsourced. If the idea is worthy of consideration there are some concerns.
Sure, police investigation costs would be removed from the budget. It sounds like a good deal but you can bet insurance companies would pass along the increase in claims to every driver by raising premiums. It would be a poor trade-off. Property taxes have gone down some but the savings of recovery fees for the county would shift financial liabilities back to the pockets of residents.
The other concern is the possibility that there could be an increase in the number of investigations. Investigations deemed too expensive in the past might be given consideration. Perhaps the assets of at-fault driver could influence the degree to which investigations are pursued. There would be no need to contain costs.
Again, I had the impression he was another contender for County Commissioner. Wrong. I learned he is a police officer.
At one point Mike, Anna and Joe had a few tense words amongst themselves. One attendee at the meeting felt it was an inappropriate time for a heated debate. Annoyed, the person suggested their discussion be taken to the parking lot. His recommendation was misinterpreted as a joke when a few chuckled at the idea. I decided to grin and bear it, for he was I.
The attention of Administrator Dave Hamilton all but assures residents he has the stamina and determination to set in motion changes that will serve the best interests of Hernando County. His past experiences were easily displayed but he also acknowledged situations that he would not have been aware if it weren’t for the grace of the citizens who gave him earfuls of awareness.
I wasn’t able to attend the second workshop in Istachatta due to prior commitments. I lost an opportunity to visit an area of the county not yet explored.
Round three of the workshops is forthcoming on Thursday, May 15, at Ridge Manor Community Center. Those who care will be there.
Of the people who spoke, their points were all valid. No one can be wrong when budgets are discussed. A good number of speakers had the same theme: the South Brooksville contamination site. Apparently the County had set an open-ended deadline for the cleanup. Two decades hasn’t been quite enough time.
Three speakers bamboozled me with their insights.
Joe Lemieux’s handiwork came in the form of placards with outdated numbers showing the compensation given to county managers. Each of their salaries has increased this past year. Other words he spoke made it clear the disgust he feels toward ill-spent taxpayer moneys. Foolish me, I misinterpreted his presentation as a podium for a bid as County Commissioner. As it turned out, he was just trying to help every taxpayer with responsible cuts in county expenses. You can call him Citizen Joe.
Then there was the lady, Anna Trinque, who was adamant that the county should reduce, or at least limit, the acreage of public lands. Her vision sees a flourish of new housing construction that would bolster the economy. Those days are over for the time being.
Perhaps a few thousand homeowners with For Sale signs could point out there are plenty of vacancies with unfulfilled opportunities of being sold. Property taxes won’t help the local economy as it has in the past. Those lost tax dollars will have to be replaced with higher impact fees to fully cover the costs of providing county services and road upgrades.
I was convinced she was running for County Commissioner. Not so. She turned out to be a self-interested real estate agent.
There was a gentleman, Mike Gladfelter, with an idea to bring alternative revenues to the county budget. He suggested cloning a Port Richie cost recovery program, which would collect automobile accident investigation fees from insurance companies of at-fault drivers. How much this could save the county wasn’t presented. Investigations would still be handled by the sheriff’s department; the billing would be outsourced. If the idea is worthy of consideration there are some concerns.
Sure, police investigation costs would be removed from the budget. It sounds like a good deal but you can bet insurance companies would pass along the increase in claims to every driver by raising premiums. It would be a poor trade-off. Property taxes have gone down some but the savings of recovery fees for the county would shift financial liabilities back to the pockets of residents.
The other concern is the possibility that there could be an increase in the number of investigations. Investigations deemed too expensive in the past might be given consideration. Perhaps the assets of at-fault driver could influence the degree to which investigations are pursued. There would be no need to contain costs.
Again, I had the impression he was another contender for County Commissioner. Wrong. I learned he is a police officer.
At one point Mike, Anna and Joe had a few tense words amongst themselves. One attendee at the meeting felt it was an inappropriate time for a heated debate. Annoyed, the person suggested their discussion be taken to the parking lot. His recommendation was misinterpreted as a joke when a few chuckled at the idea. I decided to grin and bear it, for he was I.
The attention of Administrator Dave Hamilton all but assures residents he has the stamina and determination to set in motion changes that will serve the best interests of Hernando County. His past experiences were easily displayed but he also acknowledged situations that he would not have been aware if it weren’t for the grace of the citizens who gave him earfuls of awareness.
I wasn’t able to attend the second workshop in Istachatta due to prior commitments. I lost an opportunity to visit an area of the county not yet explored.
Round three of the workshops is forthcoming on Thursday, May 15, at Ridge Manor Community Center. Those who care will be there.
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.
Monday, April 28, 2008
A Conspiracy Theory
There is a vast array of conspiracy theories. JFK, Jimmy Hoffa, UFOs, Pearl Harbor, Marilyn Monroe and AIDS are just a few of modern times. And how about 9/11 and global warming? People can be very imaginative, and manipulative, going to great extremes to prove their point with the twists and turns of a controversial subject. Validation might be in the confines of their minds but there will always be those who share in those beliefs.
Notoriety can bring small fortunes. Books. Movies. TV documentaries and way too many talk show programs highlight media coverage. Many theories are resurrected decades beyond their origination. And still speculation doesn’t resolve the issue.
Don’t rack your brains trying to come up with a conspiracy of a positive nature. Most likely, it will be a fruitless effort. Most, if not all, theories are brought about by paranoia.
I suppose I fit into that psychological profile because there are some very interesting developments of late that deserve consideration. I might be overly assumptive, but Hernando County may very well have it’s own conspiracy coming to light at a very opportune time. Let me explain.
Human Resources Director Barbara Dupre has been given a lump-sum payoff in exchange for the honorable decision to resign from a position she has held for ten years. Her escapades include such tidbits as mismanagement, nepotism, the use of email to solicit petition cards and failing to implement recommendations to bring efficiency to the department’s policies and procedures that would have benefited the county and its employees. This had gone on for eight years.
Utility Department employees have been suspended, with pay, for their part in harassing co-workers with racial slurs and innuendos. A supervisor gave his resignation rather than face disciplinary action. The seriousness of the situation is demonstrated by the involvement of the EEOC. Dupre’s ineptitude in addressing the issue is another of her supposed incompetence.
Emergency Management Department has its own problems, the full extent of which has yet to be played out. Former department secretary Stephanie Anderson gave herself overtime pay that was unwarranted, unverifiable and to the amount of nearly $10,000 worth of compensation. The involvement of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Department and the State Attorneys office shows the seriousness of her actions. Anderson’s arrest may not be the sole result of the ongoing investigation.
Emergency Management Director Tom Leto is on paid administrative leave. His oversight of the department has been put in question.
County Administrator David Hamilton is overseeing the developments of all of these situations. He has to be admired for being ambidextrous though these and other challenges that he has inherited due to the actions and inaction of previous Administrators.
Is it possible that this all began during the time period that Bonnie Dyga held the Administrator position, when Barbara Dupre was hired? Did subsequent Administrators Paul McIntosh, Richard Radacky, John Gallagher and Gary Kuhl take part in what has recently been brought to light? Perhaps each of their early departures from their positions was, in part, due to the goings on in county government. Perhaps they had reached a point whereby they could no longer turn their heads away from too many improprieties in too many departments.
Is it not something more than a coincidence that the dismissal of certain employees are occurring at a time when County Budget Hearings are to begin; at a time when the hiring of replacement employees could result in lower monetary compensation that could ease the budget crisis; at a time when unemployment is at a level whereby replacements may accept whatever pay the county offers? Will the full extent of these matters ever be realized?
And the final kicker-question, Have I become an integral part of this conspiracy?
Notoriety can bring small fortunes. Books. Movies. TV documentaries and way too many talk show programs highlight media coverage. Many theories are resurrected decades beyond their origination. And still speculation doesn’t resolve the issue.
Don’t rack your brains trying to come up with a conspiracy of a positive nature. Most likely, it will be a fruitless effort. Most, if not all, theories are brought about by paranoia.
I suppose I fit into that psychological profile because there are some very interesting developments of late that deserve consideration. I might be overly assumptive, but Hernando County may very well have it’s own conspiracy coming to light at a very opportune time. Let me explain.
Human Resources Director Barbara Dupre has been given a lump-sum payoff in exchange for the honorable decision to resign from a position she has held for ten years. Her escapades include such tidbits as mismanagement, nepotism, the use of email to solicit petition cards and failing to implement recommendations to bring efficiency to the department’s policies and procedures that would have benefited the county and its employees. This had gone on for eight years.
Utility Department employees have been suspended, with pay, for their part in harassing co-workers with racial slurs and innuendos. A supervisor gave his resignation rather than face disciplinary action. The seriousness of the situation is demonstrated by the involvement of the EEOC. Dupre’s ineptitude in addressing the issue is another of her supposed incompetence.
Emergency Management Department has its own problems, the full extent of which has yet to be played out. Former department secretary Stephanie Anderson gave herself overtime pay that was unwarranted, unverifiable and to the amount of nearly $10,000 worth of compensation. The involvement of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Department and the State Attorneys office shows the seriousness of her actions. Anderson’s arrest may not be the sole result of the ongoing investigation.
Emergency Management Director Tom Leto is on paid administrative leave. His oversight of the department has been put in question.
County Administrator David Hamilton is overseeing the developments of all of these situations. He has to be admired for being ambidextrous though these and other challenges that he has inherited due to the actions and inaction of previous Administrators.
Is it possible that this all began during the time period that Bonnie Dyga held the Administrator position, when Barbara Dupre was hired? Did subsequent Administrators Paul McIntosh, Richard Radacky, John Gallagher and Gary Kuhl take part in what has recently been brought to light? Perhaps each of their early departures from their positions was, in part, due to the goings on in county government. Perhaps they had reached a point whereby they could no longer turn their heads away from too many improprieties in too many departments.
Is it not something more than a coincidence that the dismissal of certain employees are occurring at a time when County Budget Hearings are to begin; at a time when the hiring of replacement employees could result in lower monetary compensation that could ease the budget crisis; at a time when unemployment is at a level whereby replacements may accept whatever pay the county offers? Will the full extent of these matters ever be realized?
And the final kicker-question, Have I become an integral part of this conspiracy?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)