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Hernando Today

Spring Hill Fire Referendum Still Not Finished

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By TONY HOLT Hernando Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 12, 2008

SPRING HILL - The referendum is complete.

But as far as one fire commissioner in concerned, the ballot language lacks some vital information.

The question going before Spring Hill voters in November is whether they want an independent fire district - yes or no.

Fire commissioner Leo Jacobs is doubtful of the second option. He argued residents would not know the result of a negative vote. He thinks it will lead to the end of the district and its board.

"No doesn't just mean no," Jacobs said. "It means this district will be dissolved. This board will be dissolved ... All of our assets will be remanded to the possession of the county."

He also complained the district has allowed the county to "drive the referendum language."
Jacobs spoke for nearly 20 minutes, which spawned comments from other board members, the district's attorney and one member of the public.

The board reached a 4-1 consensus to go before the board of county commissioners and ask for a final addition to the referendum, which will go before voters Nov. 4.

In the beginning, fire commissioners were reluctant to change the ballot language for fear it would prolong a process that already has lasted more than a year.

After further coaxing by Jacobs, most of the board agreed to go before the county commission and make a final suggestion on the referendum language.

Attorney Fabian R. Lokenauth, offered a clue to the additional wording he would recommend. A no vote would lead to the "incorporation of the district into Hernando County," he said.

Lokenauth, chief Mike Rampino and fire commissioner George Biro will represent the district at Tuesday's county commission meeting.

Fire commissioner Rob Giammarco was the lone dissenter. He is opposed to the district's independence and complained about going before the county again.

"I think you're going to p--- them off," he told the board. "You've done that enough."

He also grumbled about waiting until the deadline to make a final plea about the language. He directed the blame to the district's law firm.

"We're now in the 11{+t}{+h} hour," Giammarco said. "We're not being (adequately) served by our attorney staff. We had plenty of time to discuss this ... I don't know why we didn't (realize) this way before."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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