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Hernando Today

County Bosses Plan To Be Picky

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By MICHAEL D. BATES, Hernando Today

Published: January 22, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - County Commissioner Rose Rocco said she is in no hurry to choose an administrator. If the three applicants don't pass muster with her, she plans to continue searching. The job, she said, is too important to rush someone through.

A six-person committee shortlisted the three applicants and submitted them to commissioners for their consideration. Even so, Rocco said the board is not bound by those choices.

"This is an important decision," according to Rocco. "You don't want to jump and make a hasty choice."

County Commissioner Diane Rowden agrees.

"(Interim Administrator Larry Jennings) let us know that if the person isn't right for Hernando County, we aren't obligated to make a decision," Rowden said. "(Jennings) is willing to continue on until we find the right person."

All commissioners know that Hernando County's track record of retaining administrators has taken a beating. They want someone who is in it for the long haul.

"We need to make sure whatever decision we make is hopefully a lasting decision," Rowden said.

Commissioners will interview Tom Marko, David Hamilton and Kathy Rice during a public meeting from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., to be followed by private, one-on-one interviews.

"We have three candidates with some extremely impressive credentials and resumes," County Commissioner David Russell said. "(However) we're not bound in selecting anyone from the three if they don't stack up."

Russell said all three have done their homework and are aware of Hernando County's inability to keep county commissioners. They wouldn't be applying if they didn't have some ideas of reversing that trend, he said.

Marko, Rice and Hamilton are going into today's interviews "with their eyes wide open," he said.

Russell said he didn't want to divulge any of the questions he plans to ask the candidates today because he will be judging them on spontaneity of answers.

All three candidates told Hernando Today they had "thick skins" when it comes to dealing with negativity.

Russell said he was glad to read that because it is a major quality he will be seeking in the next county administrator.

Former Gary Kuhl and Gary Adams both resigned citing a negative community atmosphere.

County Commissioner Chris Kingsley said the intention is to pick an administrator from today's applicants, especially since they come recommended by the search committee.

The goal is to get someone in place as soon as possible, he said.

Kingsley said all three appear qualified on paper. But he is looking for someone who is willing to make a commitment to stay in Hernando County. He doesn't want someone just using this job as a stepping stone to something else.

The three candidates being interviewed today are:

Tom Marko, development coordinator for Miami-Dade County, Fla.

David Hamilton, county administrator for Crow Wing, Minn.

Kathy Rice, assistant city manager for Surprise, Ariz.

Interview Timetable

According to the board agenda, county commissioners will interview the three candidates for county administrator from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today in the county commissioners' meeting room, first floor, Hernando County Government Center, 20 N. Main St. in Brooksville.

Commissioners will then interview each candidate separately from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. today.

A public reception for all three candidates will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today in the government center atrium.

Commissioners will meet at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23 to discuss the applicants and consider a final selection. That meeting will be open to the public and held in the first floor commission chambers.

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

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