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Hernando Today

What's Next For Rowden?

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: November 9, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Three days after losing her bid for a third term on the county commission, Diane Rowden says she is regrouping and figuring out what's next.

But one thing is sure.

This dynamic Democrat who represented District 3 for eight years doesn't intend to sit back.

"I'm not going to curl up in the corner and fade away," she says. "That's not me. There are a lot of issues in Hernando County that need to be stayed on top of. I'm not a quitter by any means."

She is contemplating getting more involved with local community organizations, especially as they pertain to a concern close to her heart - the welfare of seniors.

But right now, Rowden, 59, is recovering from the aftershocks of an election she thought she would win.

"Right now, I'm pretty tired," she says. "I ran a really hard campaign and a very honest and fair campaign."

She isn't going to dwell on the election defeat and she refuses to be bitter. The people have spoken and it's time to move on, she says.

"It's a great loss to me," she says of her county commission job, which expires Nov. 18 with the swearing in of Republican John Druzbick - who defeated her Tuesday - and Republican James Adkins, who defeated incumbent Chris Kingsley.

"I love this community and (just) because I'm not serving in a government capacity, I can still serve. That's what my calling has always been - service."

After 32 years, Rowden retired as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines in 2002. Shortly after moving to Hernando County in 1984, she won election to the school board and stayed there three years.

It was Rowden who led the charge to change the position of school superintendent from elected to appointed.

She also helped enact an anti-nepotism policy because "33 percent of the school system (work force) was related."

While on the school board, the governor suspended Rowden after it was determined she broke the Government-in-the-Sunshine Law by talking to a fellow school board member outside the confines of a public meeting.

The Florida Legislature declined to reinstate her to the board.

"To this day, there was no intent to do any misdeeds," Rowden said. "It was all about helping kids."

But Rowden learned from that mistake and the voters forgave her in 2000 when she ran as a Democrat for county commissioner from District 3 against Republican Carey Carlson.

Her platform then was much the same as it was now - controlled county growth by requiring developers not only to pay for much of the infrastructure in their proposed projects but also require them to be more upfront about designs and scope.

She was also a strong environmental advocate who wasn't afraid to go against her colleagues during the debate to change the comprehensive plan to allow a 1,750-home subdivision called Hickory Hill in Spring Lake.

She beat Carlson in 2000 and won re-election in 2004.
Rowden said she is most proud of her helping the people sort through the complexities of government and getting them the necessary help.

She also cited her skill in developing and implementing "thoughtful and balanced land use policies that will provide an environmental legacy for generations."

Now, eight years later, Rowden will be watching the progress of this new board from the sidelines.

She says it will be interesting to see if the candidates can fulfill the lofty promises they made during the campaign, especially as the county faces less money coming into the coffers.

She will also watch with interest how County Administrator David Hamilton fares with his government reorganization plan. She believes he is doing a good job in streamlining departments.

"I was the swing vote for getting him (hired)," she reminds people.

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

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