TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Inside David Hamilton

ADVERTISEMENT

MICHAEL D. BATES

Published: January 26, 2008

David Hamilton is back in Crow Wing, Minn., where he will spend the next several weeks wrapping up business and making sure his transition from his job as county administrator there goes smoothly.

If all goes well with contract negotiations here, he will wing his way to Hernando County where he will settle into his fourth floor office and become the new county administrator.

Will Hamilton be the man who bucks the trend and stays at the job more than a couple years?

Hernando Today interviewed him from Minnesota the day after county commissioners voted 3-2 to enter into contract negotiations with the 58-year-old Minnesotan and former Canadian.

Here is part of that interview:

How do you feel about coming into your new position knowing that you did not get the support of two county commissioners? How will you work to gain their confidence?

"I continue to see Hernando County as a wonderful opportunity. I excel when challenged and I accept the good-natured challenge of the two commissioners who were reluctant to support my candidacy."

What will your first week on the job look like?

"I plan to not be in the office at least the first day. I'm hoping to meet a number of key contacts, starting with the budget officer, and set up for me to meet with other key department leaders and their staffs and simply become familiar with the main issues.

"On day two, I will meet with the county commissioners one-on-one and hear from them about their emerging needs."

How long will it take you to close up shop in your current position in Minnesota and move to Hernando County?

"As soon as possible. I need to speak to Commissioner (Chris) Kingsley about it, but I think we're looking at early April or sooner if possible.

"Given the budget cycle and the tremendous dynamics awaiting the budget in Hernando County, the sooner the better."

County Commissioner David Russell said there is a high level of dissatisfaction toward county government officials. What will you do to reduce the level of negativity in the community?

"I continue to go back to trust-based relationships — be consistent and honest and be as open as possible.

"As the person on the forefront of the administration, I would put myself on the front lines as much as possible to open up the dialogue and help people understand what we're doing and why."

Hernando County has not had a good track record of retaining administrators. How do you plan to reverse that trend?

"Consistency, never empowering negative energy, being open and honest with everyone as much as possible and trying to find common ground.

"I approach things by keeping my eye on what needs to be accomplished."

You've toured the county and talked to citizens. What do you see as the most pressing need in the community?

"To get to October with a finalized budget and its implementation into the calendar year. That will be a daunting task, with diminishing revenues."

How long will it take you to get up to speed on Florida law?

"There are remarkable similarities. The (Government-in-the-Sunshine Law) is called the Open Meeting law here. The (commission) boards are five. The nomenclatures are different but much of the statutes in the law are similar. I will depend very heavily on the county attorney to guide me through Florida law."

During your interview, you said, "You can't empower negative energy." What does that mean?

"When I talk, I don't counter-attack. I accept whatever people say to a public official, hoping it's not meant to be personal.

"At the end of the day, we're all people trying to make Hernando County a better place to live and prosper."

How will you work with the media?

"Regularly and openly. The media are in many ways the eyes and the window to government. A robust level of journalism is all a part of holding our American way of local government accountable. It's been that way since America was created and founded."

Do you plan to be visible in the community?

"Yes, I do."

Explain your management style. Should there be a clear-cut chain of command?

"At the end of the day, the county administrator is responsible for the management and the implementation of the board's enacted policies.

"My style is very open. The door is rarely closed and people are encouraged to come in. I tend to like order, but I tend to like openness within that order."

You visited Hernando County four years ago and haven't been back recently. What is your impression of Hernando County now?

"The area is beautiful. There's been so much new growth since we've been there in 2004. Even with the new growth, it hasn't detracted in any way from its gifted natural beauty. The economy, although constricted, is still remarkably robust.

"I was really impressed with the Suncoast Parkway. That's going to be a remarkable conduit for commerce and all kinds of opportunity.

"And the county board – I got to know them reasonably well very quickly. They are thoroughly engaging."

You said you would make a five-year commitment to stay on as county administrator. Commissioner Russell said he would "hold your feet to the fire" on that promise. How do you intend to live up to that promise? Do you intend to write that in your contract?

"Five years is the plan. Five years is the commitment (whether it's in writing or not). It fits ideally in everything that (wife) Linda and David Hamilton are and what apparently Hernando County is looking for."

David and Linda Hamilton have three children: Jon, 38, Chris, 35 and Jen, 32. They also have three grandchildren. His mother and father are 91 years old and live in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Are you and your wife excited about moving out of chilly Minnesota and coming to Hernando County?

"Everybody loves Florida, and Hernando County offers an abundance of opportunity. Linda and I are thrilled (about) this opportunity and making Hernando County our home."

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT