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Hernando Today

Commissioners Bid A Tearful Goodbye

Hernando Today photo by BOB EAST III

Diane Rowden tries to keep from crying as she gives her farewell address at the Hernando County Commission land use hearing Wednesday. This was the last official meeting for Rowden and commission Chairman Chris Kingsley.

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: November 13, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Commissioners Diane Rowden and Chris Kingsley gave their farewells at Wednesday's meeting, their last as board members.

They were defeated by John Druzbick and James Adkins, respectively, both of whom will be sworn in Nov. 18.

"I would like to thank the residents of Hernando County who have given me the opportunity to serve them," said a tearful Rowden.

Rowden, a fixture on the board for eight years, said she will use this time to "renew and consider future challenges."

Kingsley, who served two nonconsecutive four-year terms, also thanked county residents and called his time on the board a "learning experience."

Kingsley had a parting shot for the "whackos" who criticized his daughter after she wrote a letter to the editor expressing her dismay over her father losing the election.

A pair of follow-up letters from residents took Kingsley's daughter to task, with one telling her to "stop crying."

Their colleagues wished Rowden and Kingsley well and presented them with plaques.

"Your intellect is unmatched," Commissioner Jeff Stabins said of Kingsley's tenure on the board.

Stabins also praised Rowden for her zeal and enthusiasm.

Commissioners had a light agenda for Wednesday's Land Use Hearing.

They approved taking an additional $25,000 from park impact fees to complete phase one of a combination community park-dog park on 7.82 acres in Spring Hill.

The approval came with the understanding that the Spring Hill Central Rotary Club, a partner in the project, will help replenish that money from various fundraisers.

If all goes well, that park could open by year's end or early 2009, Parks Director Pat Fagan said.

The dog park, part of phase one, is about 90 percent complete.

The county partnered with the Spring Hill Central Rotary Club in February 2004 to develop the park, bounded by Sandlor Street, Portillo Road and Landover Boulevard.

Because of the downturn in the economy, the Rotary Club is having a hard time raising funds to complete the project.

The club has been receiving support from businesses, individuals and organizations to help defray costs.The county has already kicked in $50,000 from park impact fees to assist with permitting and project development.

"I know that the dog lovers want this park," said Josh Kelley, president of the Spring Hill Rotary Club.

Also at Wednesday's Land Use Hearing, commissioners voted 5-0 to:

• Approve a $5,160 change order for Cliff's Construction Services, which recently removed the top 2 feet of contaminated soil at the W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard site and on several adjacent properties.

The final cost came in more than originally agreed to because Cliff's ended up doing additional digging.

With the approved change order, Cliff's total charges for interim cleanup of the site came to $33,812.

• Table a request from Airport Director Don Silvernell to purchase about $27,500 worth of office furniture for the new airport office-terminal building on airport property.

Stabins said the request was inappropriate given the downturn in the economy and the county's tight budget.

Commissioner David Russell agreed and asked airport officials to see if surplus furniture is available from the county or local businesses.

Paying out $27,500 "really just doesn't send the right message at this time," Russell said.

• Accept a $2.9-million bid from Brooksville-based Goodwin Bros. Construction Inc. to do the County Road 550 widening project.

Goodwin submitted the lowest of 11 bids.

The project calls for the widening of 3.4 miles of CR 550, which runs west from U.S. 19 and State Road 50 toward Hernando Beach.

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

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