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Hernando Today

Workshop Site Challenged

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: February 11, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - In a memo sent to his colleagues on the board, Hernando County Commissioner Jeff Stabins expressed his displeasure with holding a workshop at a place other than county commission chambers.

"What we shouldn't do is allow a private group of businessmen with their own agenda to dictate where and when we meet as a board to discuss public business," Stabins wrote in the undated memo.

County commissioners today will discuss a request from Hernando Progress Inc. to hold a workshop tentatively scheduled for Feb. 26 at Pasco-Hernando Community College's campus at 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd (U.S. 98 North).

Late Tuesday, there was a chance Hernando Progress officials may present a different date.

Economist Bill Fruth is scheduled to present government and community leaders with recommendations in dealing with the current economic conditions.

Hernando Progress, whose mission is to enhance economic opportunity and diversify the tax base in Hernando County, sponsored a similar workshop with Fruth back in May 2006, held at PHCC.

That meeting received rave reviews from attendees and was instrumental in the county's drafting of an economic development plan.
County Commission Chairman Dave Russell disagrees with Stabins and said he will encourage his colleagues today to grant Hernando Progress' request to advertise and convene the workshop at PHCC.

"I don't have a problem with PHCC," Russell said. "The fact that Hernando Progress is footing the bill (for the event), I feel obliged to accommodate them in that venue and it should provide for a worthwhile exchange of ideas, particularly given today's economic climate."

But Stabins said holding a formal meeting in a non-traditional place and time "may adversely affect the public's right to participate in a full and meaningful manner."

He believes the workshop should be held in the John Law Ayers room of the courthouse, where regular business meetings are held.

"If the members of Hernando Progress want to provide a speaker for one of our scheduled meetings, and they seek to gain the most community input, then they should contact Chairman (David) Russell to be placed on the agenda," Stabins wrote.

Stabins adds that "there is a cost to the taxpayers when relocating meetings as well as an inconvenience to our residents who rightly expect to find us doing their business in the courthouse."

County Commissioner Rose Rocco agrees.

"Why not?" she asked. "If it's an informational meeting, we need to have it in an open arena where the people will have the information available to them."

When the meeting was held with county commissioners back in 2006 at PHCC, it was taped and broadcast by Hernando County Government Broadcasting.

Hernando Progress member Morris Porton said the PHCC site is preferred because the shape of the room is more conducive to the speaker and the guests.

"If an organization is offering to pay for the speaker and invite the county commission, (the site) ought to be at the discretion of the group that's paying for it," Porton said.

Michael McHugh, director of the Office of Business Development, said Hernando Progress has been supportive of business and economic development in Hernando County.

Most recently, the private nonprofit business group offered a $30,000 grant to help offset Chasco Machine and Manufacturing Inc.'s costs to relocate its facility from New Port Richey to the Hernando County Airport Industrial Park.

Also, Hernando Progress reimburses McHugh's department for the expense of renting helicopters so potential relocating businesses can view local sites from the air.

The Fruth workshop is in advance of the bi-annual community summit that is traditionally held at Silverthorn Golf and Country Club.

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

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