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Hernando Today

Robinson Embraces Charter Government

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Published: August 11, 2008

Eighty percent of Floridians live under a charter government and Michael Robinson wants Hernando County residents to join the club.

His commitment to the cause is what Robinson says propelled him to enter the District 5 County Commission race, now occupied by Democrat Chris Kingsley.

Charter government would bring home rule to the electorate, allow for more accountability and gives people control of their destiny, he says.

Under a charter form of government, the people could set salaries of their elected officials, establish term limits and give citizens more of a voice.

Robinson, 66, said he would also work to reduce government spending by consolidating county departments, and demand efficiency.

But first, Robinson has to get through the Aug. 26 primary, where he faces two Republican challengers: James Adkins and William "Billy" Healis.

Robinson has a long-time career in law enforcement, and was a lieutenant with the Philadelphia Police Department and a Special Deputy U.S. Marshall. He ran for Hernando County sheriff in 1988 and 2000 and lost both times.

If Robinson's name sounds familiar, it's because he is the husband of former county commissioner Nancy Robinson, who spent more than a year unsuccessfully battling in the courts to get the seat back she lost to challenger Rose Rocco.

Robinson said he will advocate a basic restructuring of management by having one county administrator, three assistant administrators and only six department managers.

That way, should the top administrator leave, there is always a pool of replacements ready to take over.

Robinson believes commissioners erred in allowing Spring Hill residents to go to the polls in November and vote on independence. He is confident voters will reject that referendum, forcing commissioners to deal with the expected dissension that will result from consolidation of Spring Hill into the county.

"(Commissioners) rolled the dice and they're going to lose," he said.

Robinson said any attempts to consolidate Spring Hill Fire Rescue are premature and the department should be left alone for now.

Robinson calls THE Bus "an experiment that failed." Mass transit works in areas of concentrated population centers, which Hernando County does not have, he said.

Robinson believes the county needs to do more to recruit retired seniors for various county roles. There is a vast untapped wealth of knowledge that the county could use, he said.

He is also a proponent of the Mortgage Diversion Foreclosure Program, which would restructure borrowers' loans and allow them to stay in their home. The program would apply only to owner-occupied homes.

Michael Robinson

Age: 66

Married

Education: High school diploma; attended Temple University; graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy

Religion: Catholic

Hobbies: reading, swimming, walking

Last book read: "Harry Truman," by Margaret Truman

Most Admired: George Washington, Robert Kennedy

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

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