A correction needs to made to a prior post that indicated that Commissioner Jeff Stabins was the only person who had not voiced his opinion during the recent rate increase hearing for Hernando County Fire Rescue. It seems that a candidate for Hernando County Commission, district 5, stood strangely silent in the atrium of the government center while this rate increase took place only yards away. For the record, the candidate's name is James Adkins, the former fire chief of Brooksville.
Although James Adkins has frequently employed the slogan, "Ax the Tax" for any and all government programs he deems unworthy of funding, he was no where to be found inside the chambers of the Hernando County Commission meeting on that fateful day our fees were raised 25%, with additional, annual rate increases of 5.5%.
Why, you may ask, was Mr. Adkins not present to voice his displeasure with this massive increase? His absence from this rate increase hearing could have hinged on his hope for the support of the firefighters union in his quest to become a county commissioner. Maybe Mr. Adkins didn't want to take a tongue lashing, like the one dealt out to Commissioner Kinglsey, by the Spring Hill Fire Rescue when they publicly stated he was no longer their "brother". The only other explanation could be that Mr. James Adkins does not own any real property in Hernando County so he's not really concerned with the impact this 25% rate increase will have on homeowners.
Where do you stand, Mr. Adkins, with the firefighters union seeking for their nomination and money or with the very public you hope to represent?
11 comments:
Jim Adkins not Atkins has more integrity in his pinky than you have in your entire body. Why do you hate people so much when this is supposed to be a positive Blog????
P.S there is no profanity in my post but you won't post it.
Thank you for the correction on the spelling of this candidate's name.
Writer seems to be confused as to how government works. Mr. Adkins is a candidate, not a commissioner (yet) there had no vote in the matter.
Perhaps he found it worthy of funding. Maybe he considered benefits vs costs as opposed to following the blind and bitter hatred from a select few. But then again, maybe he should have sided with those present from the Hernando Association of Realtors, ex commissioners, and commission "hopefuls" and fought the increase. Surely those living in $310k dollar houses (Hayward), driving BMW convertibles, and those charging 6-7% commissions on home sales represent the will of the common man. But wait, maybe a man who devoted his life to protecting the public would understand the importance of such.
Thank you for signing your comment, Mr. Brazinski but I find your comments to be slightly caustic for someone who is public servant. I would like to remind you that the "blind & bitter hatred of a few" referenced by you are the very taxpayers in this county that pay your salary. They are also property owners that you are tasked serve in you offical capacity as a fireman.
I have attended every rate increase hearing for the HCFR since the mid-1990's while representing only myself, as a property owner. Please do not lump me with Ms. Hayward, or the any other association. I find some of their methods to convey their message to be quite offensive, and sometimes ill-informed, which only damages the relationship of county employees with the public.
With all due respect, I do not find my comments any more "caustic" than things your have written and said about our department and our union. I could not agree more that I am a servant to EVERY taxpayer in this county. I have been raised as a Christian, and my job performance has and will remain constant no matter if I am working to help friend or foe. If that ever changes, I would deserve to be terminated. However, my status as a public servant does not diminish my rights as a taxpayer/Government employee to voice my concerns or get involved in any political process. It also does not diminish my right to confront those who are opposed to what I feel is important. Unlike a large majority of workers that feel their job ends when they clock out each day, my commitment to my job and the safety of our citizens and firefighters lasts 365 days a year. I have and will continue to treat you with respect in public (even saying hello at Gold's Gym knowing that you felt the need to complain about our presence there) both on and off duty. I hope the feeling of respect is mutual. Thank you for clearing up your stance versus that of Ms. Hayward as well.
First, let me say that I have the greatest admiration for the rank and file firemen and policemen in our community. Having said that, the my focus of all my criticism has been, and will continue to be, with the administrative policies and procedures of your department.
Yes, I emailed your Chief with questions about your visits to Gold's Gym while on the clock, to ask if this was standard operating procedure. This is one of the adminitrative policies that I wholeheartedly disagree with & I will expond on this subject in a future post.
We have gotten way off the topic of this post which was Mr. Adkins. My point is that he has marketed himself as an "anti-tax crusader on all government spending" except for this 25% fee increase for HCFR which is just a little hypocritical, or self-serving, from the public's perspective...
I have heard both you and Tony quote Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment when it suited you: "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican", I also remember you stating you would not sell your soul and change parties, so which is it, are you blasting Mr. Adkins a fellow republican, or did you sell your soul?
Mr. Adkins has built his political future on being the county's "anti-tax crusader" but rolled over on the largest tax/fee increase in our recent local history in Hernando County. Pointing out the facts, in reference to this candidate, only gives the public the tools they need to decide if this person is worthy of their vote...
So you can attack a fellow republican
because of what now???? Stop the hypocrisy your blog is anything but positive and never attacks Commissioner Rowden. A democrat who has changes her position on almost every issue depending on which way the wind is blowing. Is that because she appointed you to the Planning and Zoning Commission???
Scroll back on this blog several weeks ago & I believe you will find a post that references Ms. Rowden. As for my appointment to the P & Z, Ms. Rowden was on of 5 democrats on the BOCC after a clean sweep in 2000 election. Her nomination of me was seconded by Betty Whitehouse, thus acting in a non-partisan fashion with appointments to various boards, including the P & Z.
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