Hernando Insider

The Liberal Hernando County Commissioners Gang of Three Raise Taxes

2011-08-02T13:55:00.000-04:00

As in The Tampa Tribune Hernando Today Section Feedback Section on 07/29/2011

Conservatives must rise up to stop tax hike in Hernando County

We need to talk about Hernando County commissioners again. Only this time, its not merely Jeff Stabins, but his other two liberal colleagues, John Druzbick and Dave Russell.

This troika pretends to be conservatives when they go to the voters for support at election time but who turn into big spending liberals when it comes to governing.

Yes, these are the same commissioners who, during these times of fiscal austerity for most citizens, had the gall at Tuesday's county commission meeting to propose a budget that would raise the county share of property taxes by more than 3 percent.

These three commissioners shamelessly avoided conservative and creative means to a tax hike covering the $4.1 million budget deficit. There was not one mention by these three commissioners of reducing expenses by further streamlining government or proposing top level county employee salary reductions or layoffs.

These commissioners appeared far too comfortable and arrogant at Tuesday's meeting.

I have a theory as to their comfort for voting a proposed tax increase in these economically hurting times. Hernando County's top county staffers are a very committed group of voters for the commissioners who protect them, so are their department employees, families, neighbors and friends.

This voting block places much emphasis on which commissioner gets elected or reelected. The county employee vote can amount to several thousands on the ballot. In other words, government voting for itself.

Thus, this trifecta on the county commission knows where their political bread is buttered, so why not put the deficit shortfall onto the back of taxpayers and leave staffers fat and happy?

And for all the credit to be given to true conservative commissioners Jim Adkins and Wayne Dukes who are on the side of leaner government, lower expenses and taxes; they are simply outdone by the liberal likes of Russell, Druzbick and the increasingly erratic Stabins.

Our conservative leadership should assume some blame as well for this proposed tax hike. A monumental opportunity was missed Tuesday by the lack of conservative presence. The room should have been packed with conservatives. It wasn't even close. Frankly, it was embarrassing.

Tuesday's theme with both Druzbick and Stabins was as if the sky was falling and raising taxes was the right and only thing to do. This show went on interspersed with Russell playing the part of hard to get, finally joking his way into the 3 to 2 vote favoring the tax increase.

It's unfathomable to think that a tax increase could happen at this time when more and more people in the private sector are losing their jobs and businesses are being boarded up daily in Hernando County.

The lesson that I learned from Tuesday's meeting is it's back to politics as usual unless conservative citizens show up and speak up. For example in 2007 liberal commissioners passed a 3 percent pay hike for all county employees including those earning more than $100,000 annually while the economy was rapidly turning down. Russell and Stabins served on the commission at that time. They are back favoring their core constituency once again, joined by Druzbick this time.

Taxpayers have paid the padded salaries of top staffers at the behest of these liberal commissioners over the years and taxpayers are now being tapped again. I hope and trust that the citizenry of Hernando County becomes respectfully outraged as am I and show up at county commission meetings each Tuesday until these liberal tax-and-spend commissioners get the message and are run out of office. I also hope that our conservative leadership will begin to select and fund new conservative candidates who are smart, aggressive and incorruptible as Adkins and Dukes.

These liberal commissioners — Druzbick, Russell and Stabins — must realize that taxing this county into a balanced budget does not work except for the beneficiaries of the vote: The overpaid Hernando County top staffers and the commissioners they direct.

Jaz Zydenbos

Weeki Wachee, FL

Spring Hill Kiwanis Host Golf Tournament at Southern Hills

2008-09-05T09:07:00.004-04:00

BROOKSVILLE

Today is last day to sign up to play in charity tourney

Today is the deadline to register for the Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill's annual Children's Charity Golf Invitational, scheduled for Sept. 10 at Southern Hills Plantation Club, 4200 Summit View Drive.

Sponsorships are available, ranging from $100 for a logo sponsor to $2,000 for a corporate sponsorship. The cost to enter the tournament is $90 per golfer or $320 for a team of four golfers (after Friday, the cost is $360 per team). On tournament day, registration and activities will begin 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be available.

A shotgun start will be at 1 p.m. After the tournament, there will be a buffet dinner, an awards ceremony and a silent auction. For information, call Richard Sanvenero at (352) 263-7829. For video click here: VIDEO

Public Works Manager Suspended

2008-08-30T10:20:00.001-04:00

Hernando County Administrator David Hamilton (left) is to be commended for his decision to suspend County Engineer and Department of Public Works Manager Charles Mixson (right) for 10 business days and demand he take steps to reorganize his department during a subsequent six-month probationary period.

Actually Mixson should have been fired.

You can certain be that every other department head in Hernando County has uncompleted projects and corruption that lies beneath the press radar.

After all, until Hamilton arrived department heads were virtually unaccountable for their actions or spending. In this case Hamilton was forced to act quickly in that county employees were caught stealing.

The biggest departmental discovery of all will be within the all knowing, all seeing, county legal department where all department roads lead to and from. Standby Mr. Coller (right) and fellow Colonialists.

Historically, Hernando County administrators have had a life span of only 18 months over the past 10 years. And county commissioners, about four years.

No doubt the county department heads have been running the county for three decades. Because of this the highest cost within our county government has been cronyism. In other words, your choice of the tail wagging the dog or the inmates running the asylum.

Along comes David Hamilton. Hamilton has a very tempered personality and resume including being a city council person for several years, a mayor of a medium sized city, Thunder Bay Ontario, and county administrator for a few counties before arriving here.

He has a thick skin, he's smart, a penchant for detail and does not take things personally. In my opinion he is truly looking out for the tax payers.

Now if we could get our county commissioners to seek out corruption, end wasteful spending and cut property taxes, they'd all qualify as the next governor of the state of Alaska and future VP of the USA. Congratulations Sarah Palin!

So there,
JAZ Zydenbos

The Morning After the Hernando County Primary

2008-08-28T12:54:00.001-04:00

From JAZ Zydenbos

Thank you all for those that volunteered, contributed and voted in my campaign as candidate for Hernando County Commission, District 1 ®.

We all did what we could, but in the end not enough voters turned out primary day to effect our win over the incumbent.

During this past year of my run countless new friendships and alliances have been formed that will last us all a lifetime. I personally enjoyed the challenge of running each day and have learned much about the citizens of Hernando County, their economics, politics and love for this beautiful part of Florida.

So it is with gratitude again that I thank you ever so dearly for have given me the opportunity for this chance to serve. Special thanks to Teri Lyon, my campaign manager who was challenged more than anyone.

Best wishes to my friend Wayne Dukes who put up a gallant fight for District 3.

And congratulations to my friend Jim Adkins for his primary win in District 5. They are both HERNANDO HEROES.

Both of these candidates were a constant source of inspiration over this past year and ironically we all served with honor in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam war.

I am far from planning on being idle after this marathon. You can count on my continuing involvement with the Realtors Association, the Kiwanis, VFW, and the Hernando Beach Club. I also have immediate and future plans to stir the county political pot. You really didn't think that I would fade away now, did you?

For now, God Bless you and God Bless Hernando County,
JAZ Zydenbos