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Hernando Today

Dukes Seeks To Cut Government Spending

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Published: August 11, 2008

County Commission candidate Wayne Dukes says he has a straight-forward goal — cut government spending and reduce the burden on taxpayers.

Born and raised in Hernando County, Dukes already has definite plans if he wins his District 3 County Commission seat. And one of those plans calls for downsizing what he calls the bloated legal department.

"I would fire (County Attorney) Garth Coller," Dukes said.

He will not allow employees to take their county-owned vehicles home with them except on official business or for emergency response needs. There will be no gas allowances for any county employees, he said.

Dukes said he plans to replace THE Bus with a cheaper, alternate means of public transportation.

Dukes, 63, a career firefighter who retired as a civilian fire chief for the federal government, is banking on his 32 years in the fire services to propel him to the county commission. That service, he said, gave him valuable experience in managing budgets and manpower.

He will ensure there are periodic audits of all departments and require a 15 percent reduction in budgets. Where appropriate, he would outsource government services to save taxpayers money.

Dukes said he will work with the Florida Department of Transportation to leverage fees and taxes to provide money for State Road 50, U.S. 19, U.S. 41, U.S. 98 and other roads. County Line Road, he says, should be a high priority and used to promote the county's economic development action plan.

Tight budgetary times also call for drastic measures, says this self-described fiscal conservative. The cost of government in Hernando County has gone up 100 percent in the last five years, he said.

To that end, he would give government employees with outstanding job performance for the year a one-time salary bonus. He would also reevaulate the pay scales for county directors.

Dukes, who lives in Hernando Beach, served on the 25-member committee appointed by county commissioners to make recommendations on new facilities and finances.

Dukes ran as a Democrat for county commissioner in the 2006 primary but lost to Rose Rocco, who went on to win the seat.

He later switched parties.

If he loses the county commission race this time, Dukes said he will not run again.

Wayne Dukes

Age: 63.

Married

Education: Hernando High School graduate; bachelor of science degree from Thomas Edison State College; two associate of applied science degrees from City College of Chicago.

Religion: Baptist.

Hobbies: fishing, outdoors, building old hot rods.

Last book read: subscribes to various magazines.

Most Admired: his wife.

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

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