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Hernando Today

Fire Bosses Angry At Rep. Schenck

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By TONY HOLT Hernando Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 15, 2009

SPRING HILL - The fire board unanimously settled on a millage cap of 2.75.

The public was unanimous in their objection to a local state representative's decision last month to lower the cap to 2.50.

They saw it as a sign of disrespect. They voiced their opinions Wednesday during a Spring Hill Fire Rescue meeting.

"It was one of the greatest moments of unity we've seen here in years," said Spring Hill resident Ken Fagan, referring to the 5-0 by fire commissioners to have a 2.75 millage cap.
Fagan said Rep. Robert Schenck, R-Spring Hill, owes the fire board an explanation for why he went against the wishes of the district and its residents.

He then challenged them to counter Schenck's recommendation.

"It will be you who will have to take responsibility for the first layoff," Fagan told fire commissioners. "It will be you who will have to take responsibility when a (vehicle) can't be fixed. It will be you who will have to take responsibility when there's a suspension of fire services."
Schenck announced his intent to lower the cap during a recent legislative delegation meeting. It was held more than a month after Spring Hill residents voted in November for a fire district independent from the county.
State lawmakers must still approve a bill before independence becomes official. Even if it is granted, the fire district would still be under state oversight. At least one resident suggested Schenck's unforeseen adjustment of the cap was the first indication the state would not give the district as much autonomy as expected.

"We presented the 2.75 cap," said Andrew Salzman, the attorney who represents the board. "We drafted the bill, but it is not our bill.

"While I understand the people's comments ... there's nothing you can do," he told fire commissioners. "Once we draft it, it's out of our control."

Fire commissioner Amy Brosnan seemed swayed by Salzman's explanation. Rob Giammarco was not.

"Am I happy about the 2.5? Absolutely not," said Brosnan. "But this can be a positive for us. We can show taxpayers that we can be conservative with their money."

Giammarco called Schenck's decision a "slap in the face."

"This is starting to get more and more convoluted," he said. "I see problems coming down the road."

Giammarco also said Chief Mike Rampino told him the district could not survive at a 2.50 millage cap without making significant cuts.

"I think we need to write letters and ask him why he came up with the change without (warning) us," Giammarco said of Schenck.

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

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