This year has been a doozy...

This year has been a doozy, politically speaking. The public's perception has ranged from excitement to disgust over the antics of this year's political figures. One thing is for certain though, Hernando County's reputation for having rough and tumble campaigns and elections has not disappointed anyone.

It was the year that local incumbent politicians had little chance for survival. A lone school board representative and the state congresswoman were the only survivors, after the dust had settled on the November election, to oust incumbents. With all the candidates running so fast towards the middle, the lines on the road were hard to distinguish on many of the issues. A fast blur of the white line seemed to be painted on the backs of candidates because most had no real platform for Hernando County's future. Republicans ran as democrats. Democrats ran as republicans. Heck, score cards should have accompanied the elections ballots!

Everyone is still waiting for the last chapter for our General Elections results in the Rocco vs. Robinson debacle. It looks like a few more chapters may be added to the saga, with the opinions of opposing legal counsel and that of the Florida Department of State. In the words of one prominent attorney on the case, "it ain't over until the fat lady sings".

Hernando County even made the spotlight in the statewide media for the bigoted comments of a former county commissioner, and his wife, which gained the attention of Governor Bush and Governor-elect, Charlie Crist. Even Carol Jean Jordon, chairwoman of the Republican Party of Florida, wrote a letter to condemn the comments which were met with consternation by the couple. Ana Trinque, local chairwoman of the Hernando County Republican Executive Committee stood behind the comments, as did the newly-elected vice chairman of the HCREC, Alan Setelius. After all the media flap died down, nothing more was said, or done, by state republican party officials. It is business as usual, with the former county commissioner still serving as state committeeman for the republican party.

The holiday season provided all of us with a much-needed reprieve from the constant political chatter of the media while we turned our attention towards family and friends. The old adage, "out with the old and in with the new" somehow brings a renewed sense of positive possibilities as we head toward springtime.

Oh, Hernando County will survive the bruising 2006 political season. In fact, it will thrive with a renewed sense of liberation for all the endless possibilities that face us in the future.

Happy New Year to everyone!

My rendition of 2006

Looking back throughout 2006, many interesting things have happened in our county. I listed below some of the positive highlights from my blog that really make our community shine. I hope you enjoy my rendition of the 2006 year in review.

• January 2006: Thanks to the City of Brooksville http://hernandoapa.blogspot.com/2006/01/thanks-to-city-of-brooksville.html
• February 2006: Proud to call her my friend http://hernandoapa.blogspot.com/2006/02/proud-to-call-her-my-friend.html
• March 2006: Grand opening at Jericho Road http://hernandoapa.blogspot.com/2006/03/grand-opening-at-jericho-road.html
• April 2006: Oak Hill stroke facility http://hernandoapa.blogspot.com/2006/04/oak-hills-primary-care-stroke-facility.html
• May 2006: Volunteer Recognition Day http://hernandoapa.blogspot.com/2006/05/volunteer-recognition.html
• June 2006: "I played hookie to go on safari in South Africa"
• July 2006: Fire master plan http://hernandoapa.blogspot.com/2006/07/fire-master-plan.html
• August 2006: Fallen soldier honored http://hernandoapa.blogspot.com/2006/08/fallen-soldier-honored.html
• September 2006: Times wins hands down over Today http://hernandoapa.blogspot.com/2006/09/times-wins-hands-down-over-today.html
• October 2006: Thank, Debbie! http://hernandoapa.blogspot.com/2006/10/thanks-debbie.html
• November 2006: Secret Santa http://hernandoapa.blogspot.com/2006/11/secret-santa.html
• December 2006: WREC http://hernandoapa.blogspot.com/2006/12/wrec.html

News Flash!!!

Judge Booth ruled in Rose Rocco's favor this morning. According to a very reliable source, Mrs. Rocco was sworn into office this morning and now holds the title, Commissioner Rocco.

Very joyous holiday

Wishing you, and your family, a very joyous

Holiday Season and a New Year filled with peace and happiness.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Anna Liisa Covell

Conveys the message

The following is a re-run from my last year's holiday greeting but I think it best conveys the message of Christmas. Please enjoy this transcript of Ronald Reagan's radio message from 1978:

Christmas-

Meaning no disrespect to the religious convictions of others, I still can’t help wondering how we can explain away what to me is the greatest miracle of all and which is recorded in history. No one denies there was such a man, that he lived and that he was put to death by crucifixion.Where….is the miracle I spoke of? Well consider this and let your imagination translate the story into our own time-----possibly to your own home town.

A young man whose father is a carpenter grows up working in his father’s shop. One day he puts down his tools and walks out of his father’s shop. He starts preaching on street corners and in the nearby countryside, walking from place to place, preaching all the while, even though he is not an ordained minister. He never gets farther that an area perhaps 100 miles wide at the most.He does this for three years. Then he is arrested, tried and convicted. There is no court of appeal, so he is executed at age 33 along with two common thieves. Those in charge of his execution roll dice to see who gets his clothing---the only possessions he has. His family cannot afford a burial place for him so he is interred in a borrowed tomb.

End of story? No, the uneducated, property-less young man who…..left no written word has, for 2,000 years, had a greater effect on the world than all the rulers, kings, emperors; all the conquerors, general and admirals; all the scholars, scientists and philosophers who have ever lived---all of them put together.How do we explain that? ......unless he really was what he said he was.

-Ronald Reagan / Dailey Radio Commentary (syndicated) December, 1978

Jericho Road Ministries

Jericho Road Ministries will host their Ninth Annual Christmas Luncheon. The luncheon will take place at the First United Methodist Church of Brooksville this Saturday, December 23rd from 11:00 to 2:00 p.m. Pastor Bruce Gimbal started this holiday lunch program nine years ago as a way to say thanks the community and to celebrate the Christmas season.

Jericho Road Ministries sponsors a shelter program (in addition to their men's program) to respond to the economic, emotional and spiritual needs of women and children called Mary's House. Mary's House is for women and children that have been displaced in life due to circumstances beyond their control. Mary's House is located at 1090 Mondon Hill Road in Brooksville. For shelter placement, call (352)799-2912.

Thank you, Pastor Bruce Gimbal and Rev. Scott Simmons for all your hard work in our community.

Equal access to quality healthcare

Does everyone in Hernando County have equal access to quality healthcare in an emergency situtation? In the event that you, or your loved one, has a medical emergency you should be aware of directives in place by the emergency medical director. The Hernando County Emergency Medical Director has issued directives to transport patients to the nearest emergency room even if the patient has specified a particular facility. This makes logical sense, or does it?

What if the patient lives on the east side of the county and requests transport to Oak Hill Hospital? EMS directives dictate that the patient be taken to the nearest facility which is Brooksville Regional Hospital, under the discretion of the paramedic. This seems like the safest path for the patient, or does it?

Hypothetically speaking, if the east side emergency patient is exhibiting stroke-like symptoms, EMS personnel would take the patient to Brooksville Regional even though Oak Hill is the only state certified stroke facility in Hernando County. Once this hypothetical patient is evaluated as a stroke patient, they are air lifted to Tampa General Hospital for stroke treatment. The question that should be on everyone's mind is why wasn't the patient transported to Oak Hill Hospital in the first place to safe precious minutes. The first three hours after suffering a stroke symptoms are the most critical in the recovery of a patient so it would be only logical that they should have been transported to Oak Hill Hospital in the first place. The full recovery of the patient should be the main objective of EMS personnel when evaluating stroke patients. How much precious time is wasted in the critical 3-hour stroke window of the patient by taking them to Brooksville Regional, only to then be air lifted to Tampa General?

This stroke scenario could be re-created with the heart attack patient since Oak Hill is a certified heart facility, too. When the heart patient is taken to Brooksville Regional, only to be air-lifted to Tampa General, how much heart muscle could have been saved by an immediate transport to Oak Hill Hospital?

Is the health, safety and the welfare of the patient paramount in the Hernando County Medical Director's directive or are HMA's corporate interests the driving factor in the "closest facility directive" since Brooksville Regional Hospital and Tampa General are under this parent corporation. The county's emergency medical director is under contract by the approval of the Hernando County Board of Commissioners. It is the Hernando County Board of Commissioners overriding authority to protect the health, safety and welfare of all the citizens of this county. Hopefully they will investigate this very troubling directive by their emergency medical director that allows out of county transport of our citizens in medical emergencies.

WREC

Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc. has really been busy up in my neck of the woods. WREC has had their subcontractors, Davey, Inc. and Pike, Inc. working on a project to pave the way for major capital improvements along Lake Lindsay Road and Edgewater Avenue through Nobleton. Without going into technical jargon, WREC's public relations manager, Ernie Holzhauer related to me that the work being done was to improve current service in our area, and be prepared for future growth in Hernando County corridor. The capital improvements being made by WREC is to double the size of transmission lines in the northeast portion of our county. Taller power poles, equipped with larger insulators, are being installed to accommodate these larger size transmission lines by WREC. Davey, Inc. has been extremely busy clearing and trimming trees to make way for these taller poles. Pike, Inc. has worked in conjunction with Davey to install the taller poles in a well orchestrated, timely fashion. As soon as the taller poles were installed, the WREC trucks rolled in to begin work on the completion of this major capital improvement. The rural community of the Istachatta and Nobleton area are certainly lucky to be members of this electric cooperative. Thanks go out to Withlacoochee River Electric, for meeting our current electric needs and investing capital dollars to be prepared for our future in Hernando County!

What wrong with this picture?

While the Hernando County School Board is considering plans to abandon busing to end racial segregation, they voted on a pilot program for same gender classrooms at Westside Middle School this week. What's wrong with this picture? Are we to believe 'the separate but equal' mind set will become acceptable in our society again? We had a prior definition for this 'separate but equal' way of life in the south called Jim Crow law's. These Jim Crow law's were designed to give legal recognition to discrimination, with the separation of black and white Americans by law, from 1883 to 1954. In 1896, the US Supreme Court approved of racial segregation with the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision that gave an official seal on the "Separate but Equal Doctrine". The Plessy vs. Fergusan decision had a lone vote of dissent by US Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan, a former slave owner from Kentucky. Justice Harland declared: " Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens...The thin disguise of 'equal' accommodations will not mislead anyone, nor atone for the wrong this day done." The "Separate but Equal Doctrine" remained in effect until the US Supreme Court heard the Brown vs. the Board of Education to enforce the Fourteenth Amendment that guarantees equal protection under the laws. Being of the baby-boomer age, the image of busing to end segregation in the south was a terrifying time in our society. While the National Guard patrolled schools to enforce court-ordered integration, parents of black, and white children, alike, were afraid to send their children to school due to violent acts of many senseless people. These violent acts ranged from vandalism, to fire bombings, at many schools in the south. During these turbulent times, a police officer was stabbed in the chest at a Pinelllas County high school. Do we really want to turn back the hands of time justifying the "Separate but Equal Doctrine" in our society? Hopefully, history will not repeat itself right here in Hernando County.

Never forget

I received this information by email this morning. It seems that something positive has been made out of the evil of September 11th:

USS New York It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft. Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite , LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept. 9, 2003, "those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. "It was a spiritual moment for everybody there." Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the "hair on my neck stood up." "It had a big meaning to it for all of us," he said. "They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back."

The ship's motto? - 'Never Forget'

Smooth transition

Monday night, three new members of the Brooksville City council were sworn into office. Lara Bradburn is the freshman of the newly seated city council members, with Richard Lewis and Joe Bernardini being considered veterans for their previous tenure on the board. Congratulations go out to David Pugh, Jr. who was elected the new mayor and to Frankie Burnett as vice mayor. It appears that Ms. Bradburn did not let any grass grow under her feet with her in-depth questioning of most items on their agenda. Several in the audience mentioned the term micro-managing in reference to Councilwoman Bradburn. Yes, Ms. Bradburn does her homework, as well she should being a newspaper reporter by profession, but micro-managing should not be tagged on her after just one meeting. Will she expect complete answers to her questions? Knowing Lara, the answer is yes. Will she micro-managing the staff? That is yet to be determined but she deserves a chance to become comfortable in her position as councilwoman before any hushed rumors are generated from the staff. Mayor David Pugh has his work cut out for him in the coming year. Many items will pass over his desk in the next several months, from legal problems relating to city annexations, to a pending performance review of city manager, Richard Anderson. It appears that it is truly a new day for the city of Brooksville. Our anticipation for a smooth transition for the city council runs high in the community. Good luck to everyone!

Future superintendent

Ken Pritz, Hernando County school district's executive director of facility and support operations, has submitted his application for the future vacancy of the school superintendent's position. The current superintendent, Wendy Tellone is retiring at the conclusion of the 2007 school year. When Mrs. Tellone was hired as superintendent, the public perception was to hire from within Hernando County. Mrs. Tellone worked her way up through the local school system and has proved to be very competent during her tenure as the superintendent of Hernando County schools. Mr. Pritz is the only local candidate to apply for the superintendent's position and should be given preference based on his 26 year tenure with the school district. Mr. Pritz has worked his way up the ladder and has the administrative experience to tackle the duties of superintendent. Mr. Pritz has been a non-voting member of the Hernando County Planning and Zoning Commission for almost two years. While I cannot speak for his professional qualifications for the position of superintendent, I will say that Ken Pritz is a very nice individual who treats everyone with respect and courtesy at all of our meetings. The Hernando County School Board should strongly consider hiring from within the local school district once again.

Pearl Harbor

Today is Pearl Harbor Day. The day of infamy, as described by President Franklin Roosevelt, in his speech to the Nation on December 7, 1941. Some foggy memories, combined with the dwindling number of military survivors, does not make this day any less significant than the actual day our Nation came under attack in Pearl Harbor. One survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor attended our local Veterans Appreciation Parade for the last two years. His name is Allan T. Hartshome, age 88. Mr. Hartshome and his wife reside in the Hill n' Dale subdivision of Hernando County. Several years ago, we had the membership of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association attend our parade with their replica of the USS Arizona Memorial float. We are truly blessed to have these local Pearl Harbor survivors residing in our county. Although the number of Pearl Harbor survivors are succumbing to age, each person is a monumental portion of our Nation's history and have our deepest respect for their service for our country. Please take time today to say thanks for all our veterans.

Santa

Santa Claus will be making a stop in Nobleton this Saturday, December 9th, to visit with the local neighborhood children. Santa will be at the Tri-County Volunteer Fire Department on Forbes Street from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Playing politics

Almost one year ago, Jeff Webb of the Hernando Times wrote an editorial in reference to the state's sales tax surplus of $3.2 billion that was reported in January, 2006. The theme of his previous column focused how each political party would be fighting over this massive surplus while trying to influence votes since it was an election year. Well, the politicians in Tallahassee proved Mr. Webb's point.

The state legislature pandered at the highest level to enhance themselves to the voting public and got the most bang for our buck. By April, the Florida Legislature learned that they had an additional windfall of $960-million in addition to the a $5.6 billion surplus that had been reported in March of 2006. Where have all the state legislator's been hiding with this insurance crisis that hit our state late last year? Were they with hiding with Governor Bush? Were they hiding at their campaign offices, hoping no one would notice the lack of a action by Florida Legislature on the insurance crisis that hit our state last year?

Everyone has been pleading for a resolution to the crisis in Citizens' Property Insurance that has forcing people from their homes since last year and the people's voice fell on deaf ears in Tallahassee during the 2006 legislative session. Yes, a few of our elected officials have voiced concern over the insurance crisis but it has been barely audible until the new legislators were sworn in several week ago.

Senator Fasano had a guest column titled, 'Insurance crisis undermines state' in this morning's issue of the Hernando Times which discusses the insurance crisis in Florida. In his column, Mr. Fasano stated that in the closing hours of the 2006 legislative session, insurance industry lobbyists managed to sneak language into Senate Bill 1980 requiring Citizens to raise rates to cover the cost of re-insurance. How does any group sneak language into a house or senate bill? If this really happens, then the citizens need to hold their representative government officials responsible for not thoroughly scrutinizing legislation before passage. Taking into consideration Senator Fasano he did not support Senate Bill 1980, it still does not erase the fact that our state has been in an insurance crisis since the fall of 2005.

Senator Fasano stated in his column that the insurance crisis has the potential to decimate every aspect of our state's economy. Where was Senator Fasano almost a year ago when the state coffers were flush with cash to fix this insurance crisis? Playing politics with a person's most valuable asset of their home, or business, by jeopardizing their ability to afford home owners insurance, is unacceptable. In hindsight, Jeff Webb has every right to say I told you so...

Could become a stalemate

Much discussion has taken place in the last several weeks about the empty seat on the Hernando County Commission. Robert Nolte had an editorial column in this morning's Hernando Today about the important issues our county will face in the upcoming months. Mr. Nolte suggested that governor should appoint an interim commissioner until such time that the Robinson-Rocco debacle is settled in court. He mentioned the hazards of having a four member board of county commission. With a four member board it is possible that nothing will be accomplished by the county commission in the coming months. Mr. Nolte's column focused on critical issues that could become a stalemate with a four member board but he forgot to mention one big issue. In January, it will be time for the county commissioners to choose a new chairperson. Which one of the commissioners will cross that great partisan divide to vote for an opposing party member for chairperson? Better yet, what happens if they have a 2-2 vote for the person nominated? Does that mean Commissioner Rowden will remain as chairwoman for another year? I believe a 2-2 vote nullifies the motion which would leave Commissioner Rowden seated as chairwoman. Someone needs to call the governor ...

Shovel

You know what the best reason is for living in Hernando County? For that matter, for living in the state of Florida? The best part about living here is you don't need to shovel sunshine!

Sad article

The Hernando Times ran a very sad article in the paper this morning about a young woman named Nicole Batiste who pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter for the death of her newborn baby. This young woman will be sentenced next month for a crime that should have never taken place. Does she deserve the punishment of jail time? That will be up to the judge to decide in January. This unwanted pregnancy could have turned out to be good news if this young woman had dropped the baby off at a hospital or fire station. No questions would have been asked of this young woman and the baby would have been put up for adoption. The Florida Legislature wisely passed legislation in 2000 for desperate mothers to drop off unwanted newborns within 3 days of birth without prosecution. Its too bad this young woman did not follow the law. The Hernando Times needs to be commended for printing the information about this law, along with helpful agencies, adjacent to the article.