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Hernando Today

Voters Oust Rowden, Kingsley

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: November 5, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - An anti-incumbent wave swept clear the decks of the county commission Tuesday night - at least for Democrats - as Diane Rowden and Chris Kingsley were voted out of office.

And with Republican incumbent Jeff Stabins handily beating his Democratic challenger, Hernando County now has a 4-1 Republican majority on the board.

Stabins, along with newcomer Republicans James Adkins and John Druzbick, will be sworn in Nov. 18. The trio will join Republican David Russell and sole Democrat Rose Rocco.

Rowden's eight-year reign in District 3 came to an end after the self-exclaimed "people's candidate" lost to Druzbick, who parlayed his 12 years on the school board into a winning formula during the campaign.

In pre-election interviews, Rowden said she and her colleagues listened to the constituents by lowering the millage, putting increased emphasis on diversifying the industrial base of the county and promoting slow growth.

But her populist attitude, which served her well for two terms, didn't cut it with voters this time.

Her stance on "slow growth" tended to irritate developers who frequently saw their commercial or housing projects shot down by her during land use hearings.

Druzbick, owner and operator of Custom Discount Blinds, said it was time to rein in government overspending.

"I think the county has been looking for change over the last couple of years," Druzbick said.

Homeowners have suffered from higher taxes, insurance and assessments and now that weight has shifted to the business sector, he said.

"It's a real good win for the county," Druzbick said. "We are really going to get some business ideas up there and try to get this county back on top economically."

Druzbick said he will press for zero-based budgeting and tax accountability. The county's budget, he said, has grown disproportionately to the rise in population.

He said commissioners must adopt a pay-as-you-go approach to capital projects and make sure they are fully funded before they are announced.

Kingsley said during the campaign that it was important he be re-elected to preserve "stability of leadership," especially now that the county is moving forward on department streamlining and economic development initiatives.

But Kingsley received some heat earlier this year after he was forced to return more than $3,700 of tuition reimbursement money to the county clerk after being told by that office he did not fit the definition of "employee" and was not entitled to the money.

Kingsley said he had the necessary sign-off approvals from former county administrators and others who saw no problem with the tuition reimbursement, he told Hernando Today, which broke the story.

But to avoid perceptions of impropriety, he said he turned it back.

Kingsley now has his MBA in business administration.

Former Brooksville Fire Chief Adkins, who lost in his bid for the District 5 commission seat in 2004, ran on a platform of lower taxes, less government, responsible spending and accountability.

Adkins defeated Kingsley by 1,358 votes.

"I think the taxpayers finally woke up and voted for a good conservative," Adkins said Tuesday night. "And that's who I will be working for - the taxpayers - not myself. This is not for me, it's for them."

Adkins, who retired in 1998, says he will do all he can to reduce what he sees as frivolous spending by county commissioners.

Over the years, commissioners have not been accountable for their spending habits and, as a result, spent it only because the coffers were full, he said.

Stabins said he was seeking re-election to the District 1 County Commission seat because he wanted to finish what he started.

Stabins said the commission, under the guidance of County Administrator David Hamilton, has begun streamlining departments and is seeking ways to reduce spending.

He wants to get the budget "back in shape" and explore more cost-cutting strategies.

"I'm very satisfied with what has happened," Stabins said of the vote outcome.

Stabins' launched his Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP) initiative in July to try to stimulate home buying and construction.

But critics called the program impotent and said it was a last-minute attempt to gain votes.

HELP was touted as an alternative to the lowering of impact fees by at least 25 percent for a minimum 18 months. In fact, it was one of the reasons commissioners threw out the impact fee reduction.

The idea is to put builders and contractors to work by rehabilitating homes for qualified individuals.

But it wasn't until some weeks later that the county announced the program would initially be limited to the elderly. Only two people qualified.

The program has now been expanded to include the low-income handicapped and disabled people.

Democrat Gutierrez was the least known candidate running for county commissioner.

His campaign signs went up late and even he admits he didn't have the name recognition.

Many people may remember Gutierrez from the days when he owned Ramon's Cafe.

Votes cast (56 out of 56 precincts):

District 1

Jeff Stabins - 47,070.

Ramon Gutierrez - 34,911.

District 3

John Druzbick - 44,188.

Diane Rowden - 38,295.

District 5
James Adkins - 41,718.
Chris Kingsley - 40,360.

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

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