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!
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