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Hernando Today

Current Fire Board Has Failed Spring Hill Citizens

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 14, 2008

After digesting Mr. Leo Jacobs ignorant comments in reference to previous fire commissioners, I found it hilarious that he honestly believes he is looking out for the health, safety and welfare of the people of Spring Hill.

Mr. Jacobs states in a Hernando Today story dated July 11 that "past boards had a responsibility to the citizens of Spring Hill and it failed to do its job."

Mr. Jacobs you need to pull your head out of the sand and face the facts. Your board has allowed the budget of the Spring Hill Fire District to run totally out of control.

Here are some of the facts:

When I got off of the fire board almost six years ago, the budget was in the area of $6 million. Less then six years later, you allowed the budget to increase to more than $14 million. Now, who failed in their responsibilities to the citizens of Spring Hill?

You were one of the commissioners who fought against consolidating dispatch with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. You forfeited a savings of around $200,000. Yes, Mr. Jacobs, a savings that the taxpayers of Spring Hill could have used in a time of economic crisis. The way you are spending the tax dollars only signals a fiscal disaster in the very near future.

When I was elected to the fire board in November of 1998, there was a war going on between the county commissioners and the fire commissioners. Our board proceeded to mend those fences. We had a great line of communication.

Mr. Jacobs, have you ever watched yourself on government television? You speak and speak, but you never say anything. I must say that you did succeed in tearing down the fence that previous boards were successful in mending. You finally have a chief who knows what he is doing. You and your board need to give him an opportunity to straighten out the problems that previous chiefs and some present board members have caused.

Bob Kanner

Retired Spring Hill

Fire Commissioner

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