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Hernando Today

Rival Concessionaire Seeks Beach Bid

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: March 22, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Should another vendor express interest in bidding for the rights to open a concession stand at Pine Island Beach, then the county has no choice but to open it up to one and all.

That's the word Friday from County Commission Chairman David Russell, who has carved out time on Tuesday's agenda to discuss Willy's Tropical Breeze Cafe.

Owner Willy Kochounian's contract on Pine Island expires in 2011.

"If I'm on the board then and if there's any interest from (other vendors), than we would be required by law and ordinance to put this out to bid," Russell said.

And, at least right now, it would appear there will be some interest.

Diane Benoit said she bid on the Pine Island concession in 1990, along with Kochounian and about three other vendors.

When she didn't get the nod, she looked elsewhere and bid on other spots in the county.
Benoit said she now has a concession stand at Ernie Wever Park.

However, she would welcome the chance to rebid for the Pine Island site, which she considers a plum location for business.
Benoit doesn't understand why Kochounian gets automatic contract renewals.

"It should go out for bid," she said.

In 1991, commissioners bid out the concession rights at Pine Island and Kochounian won a five-year contract.

Satisfied with Kochounian's services on the beach, subsequent boards renewed his lease in five-year increments, foregoing the bidding process.

In his most recent contract, inked in 2006, Kochounian pays the county $18,500 a year for the concession rights through 2011.

Russell praised Kochounian for having a first-rate operation on the beach and encourages him to bid should that become a necessity in two years.

Russell said his record would enter into any decision in the bid, which doesn't always go solely to the lowest bidder.

At Tuesday's meeting, Russell said he will ask his colleagues for a vote of confidence for all county vendors and concessionaires.

"I want them to be assured that we all appreciate (their) work in the community and that will weigh heavily when their contracts come up for renewal," he said.

Meanwhile, Kochounian said he has gotten a huge response of support from his patrons, and has more than 1,000 signatures on a petition indicating they want him to stay on the beach selling food and drinks.

Kochounian said he has built up a nice facility there and is attracting customers to Pine Island.

Kochounian said it's "not right" the county would even be considering removing him after 18 years.

"They should have mentioned it to me first," he said.

Kochounian said if the county goes out for bid they might get another couple thousand dollars, which would hardly be enough to make it worthwhile - especially since he opens and closes the beach gates every day.

If he leaves, all the county is likely to get is a small hot dog stand, he said.

Furthermore, Kochounian said the county never compensated him for the times his business has suffered when the health department issued swimming advisories for Pine Island Beach after bacteriological tests indicated poor water quality.

He said his business suffered but his rent stayed the same.

Not being on the board at the time, Commissioner John Druzbick said he was unaware Kochounian was getting such contract extensions. He sad he assumed the beach concession rights were going out for bid.

Druzbick said he will ask for clarity at Tuesday's meeting to ensure the county is being "fair and equitable."

Willy's Tropical Breeze is scheduled early on Tuesday's agenda. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.

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

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