New Chair for the P & Z Commission

Every January, the Hernando County Planning and Zoning Commission conducts an election for a new chairman and vice chairman, as the first order of business on their agenda. At this morning's P & Z meeting, Commissioner Anthony Palmieri nominated Commissioner Robert DeWitt for the position of chairman when Chairwoman Anna Liisa Covell opened the floor to nominations and a subsequent vote. Mr. DeWitt was elected by a unanimous decision. Commissioner Robert Widmar then nominated Mr. Palmieri for the vice-chair position. Mr. Palmieri was also elected with a 5-0 vote. As Anna Liisa Covell handed the gavel to newly elected Chairman DeWitt, she thanked the board for the honor of serving as their chairwoman for two consecutive years. The new chairman called for a brief recess so the commissioners could re-seat themselves in proper order at the dais and then Mr. DeWitt called the first applicant to the podium. Mr. Don Lacey, vice-president of Coastal Engineering, paused for a minute to state that he thought Anna Liisa Covell had been one of the most effective chairwoman on the Planning & Zoning Commission in his 20+ years of bringing cases before this board. Anna Liisa Covell thanked Mr. Lacey for his kind words and Chairman DeWitt began the long agenda P & Z agenda that last until 5 p.m. this afternoon.