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Hernando Today

Candidate forum draws crowds

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By Michael D. Bates

Hernando Today

Published: August 15, 2008

Brooksville - Gwen Shepherd, 80, admitted she had never attended a political candidate forum before.

But she couldn't resist going to the "main event" Thursday night at the downtown Government Center because, for this Brooksville resident, it was time to get answers to what she considers the most pressing problems facing her county: the frightening number of vacant homes on the market and crowded roads.

"I'd like to find out what's going on," Shepherd said as she joined the swelling crowd in the government center atrium.

Shepherd's son-in-law, Larry Hahn, said he came to hear candidates say they planned to cut the cost of government at least 10 percent across the board and bring it in line with current falling revenue.

"What are they going to do about it?" Hahn, 66, wanted to know.

More than 50 people had arrived around 5 p.m., an hour before the actual start of the debate, anxious to see how the political wannabes comported themselves during the informal "meet and greet" session.

The two dozen or so candidates, whose ranks will be severely thinned after the Aug. 26 primary, had their game face on as they smiled and shook hands.

Presented by the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, Thursday night's forum was the biggest single gathering of candidates under one roof. All told, about 70 people showed up for the event.

Chris Wessel, editor of Hernando Today and Michael Konrad, editor of the Hernando Times, asked questions of the candidates, who also were given two minutes to introduce themselves.

As with all candidate forums, the crowd took away several sound bites from people who plan to either break up the stagnant status quo or make dozens of changes – all, of course, for the betterment of the citizens.

Thursday night was no different.

Robert Neuhausen, running for school board member District 4, did not hide his frustration with School Superintendent Wayne Alexander.

"He has failed miserably," Neuhausen said.

He said Alexander rules through intimidation and does not have the respect of the teachers.

Carol Castagnero, vying for the U.S. Representative District 5 seat against incumbent Ginny Brown-Waite, said it's time to bring the troops home from Iraq.

"We cannot police the whole world," she said.

Castagnero's opponent, David Werder, said he couldn't narrow down the issues in the two minutes provided him.

"I can't do it," said Werder, who proceeded to haltingly tick off a few issues anyway.

But it was the three county commission races that forum organizers saved for last. Those races are drawing the most attention.

Republican incumbent Jeff Stabins from District 1 defended his four-year record by touting his recent economic stimulus package that would allow people whose homes are valued at less than $30,000 to apply for zero-percent loans.

He was quickly blasted by his opponent, Jon "JAZ" Zydenbos, who said his opponent's plan would tax these low-income people out of a home. Zydenbos said Stabins "blew it" during his tenure.

William "Billy" Healis III, county commission candidate from District 5, appeared nervous initially but became invigorated when he promised to seek an outside audit of the county's legal department.

Meanwhile, Healis' opponent, Michael Robinson, reminded everyone that, if elected, he would do all in his power to bring charter government to Hernando County and let the people control their fate.

Finally, in the District 3 county commission race, Wayne Dukes – who told everyone to forget he was ever named Hubert -- fumbled over some of the words in his presentation and told the audience that is why it is better sometimes not to read a statement.

Dukes' opponents, John Druzbick and Charles Gaskin vowed to downsize government and get rid of the bureaucracy.

Two weeks from now, many of these candidates will be gone and the home stretch to the November general election begins.

But if Thursday's candidate forum proved anything, it is that voters have a wide variety of choices.

When the one-hour and 45-minute forum ended, people filed out in the rain. For Berni and Maurice Paradise of Spring Hill, it was time well spent.

Berni called it "very enlightening" and she said she came away with a different opinion of some of her candidates.

Maurice summed up what most forum visitors are looking for this election year: "They need someone who's qualified to be able to straighten this whole thing out."

The 2008 primary Candidates Forum was sponsored by the Hernando County Association of Realtors, the Hernando Builders Association and Hernando Progress.

In case you missed it, the forum will be rebroadcast on the Hernando County Government Broadcasting, Ch. 622 on Bright House Networks.

Here's a list of other air times and dates: Midnight on Friday, Aug. 15; 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16; midnight on Sunday, Aug. 17; 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18; 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19; 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20; 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23; midnight on Sunday, Aug. 24; 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25; and midnight on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

For information, call 796-0697.

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

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