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Hernando Today

Druzbick Banks On School Board Experience

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Published: August 11, 2008

From 1994 to 2006, John Druzbick was a fixture on the Hernando County School Board.

During that time, he worked closely with county commissioners when school concerns dovetailed with government projects.

But now, Druzbick wants to become even more embroiled in government affairs as a commissioner representing District 3.

He is hoping his 12-year experience on the school board, where he supervised a $440-million budget and 3,000 employees, will serve him well as county commissioner.

Druzbick is also owner and operator of Custom Discount Blinds in Spring Hill.

The 20-year resident of Hernando County said it is time to rein in government overspending.

"Our county budget has more than doubled in the last five years, yet we have miles of unpaved roads, planned projects not completed, overhiring of consultants (and) projects not fully funded," Druzbick said.

"We have people moving out of Hernando County because they cannot afford to live here any longer," he said.

Druzbick said his strong community ties make him a recognizable face, which is a plus in running for office.

He qualified for the District 3 race by acquiring 1,198 signed petition cards. His competitors are Republicans Wayne Dukes and Charles Gaskin.

If elected, Druzbick said he will press for zero-based budgeting and tax accountability. The county's budget, he said, has grown disproportionately to the rise in population.

Commissioners must adopt a "pay-as-you-go" approach to capital projects and make sure they are fully funded before they are announced. He cites the Elgin Road widening project, which had reached an impasse, as an example of poor planning.

With the exception of David Russell, who owns a pool company, Druzbick believes there is a lack of "business sense" on the county board.

"Government is not a business, but it sure needs to be run like one," Druzbick said.

To start with, Druzbick said the county legal office is top-heavy with attorneys and don't seem to have ready answers to commissioners' concerns or volunteer solutions to thorny legal problems.

"Don't tell me what I can't do, tell me what I can do," Druzbick said of the attorneys.

Commissioners have to do more to diversify the industrial base of Hernando County, he said.

County commissioners can no longer afford to live on the assumption that the construction industry will support the local economy. Diversification of industry is a must, he said.

This county has lost light industry projects to St. Petersburg and that trend must stop, he added.

John Druzbick

Age: 57.

Married

Education: Suffolk Community College, Riverhead, N.Y.

Religion: Catholic.

Hobbies: motorcycles, swimming, boating.

Last book read: "Who Moved My Cheese,"by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth Blanchard.

Most Admired: Thomas Jefferson.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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