Schenck: Meeting Date Inconvenient, But Necessary

The week between Christmas and New Year's Eve tends to be a difficult time to get work done.

People head off on holiday vacations before tackling the New Year, and most offices are reduced to skeleton crews.

It's this truism that has County Commissioner Rose Rocco searching for an alternative date for the annual meeting of the Hernando County Legislative Delegation.

The meeting, set for Dec. 30, is a chance to get all four of the state lawmakers who represent Hernando County into the same room so constituents can offer their input.

The meeting typically happens in January, and constituents have called to say they won't be able to make it this year, said Rocco, who also has plans that will keep her from attending.

"People were concerned because they really wanted to speak to the delegation about issues important to them," Rocco said.

Among those issues is the legislation to be crafted to make Spring Hill Fire Rescue an independent district, she said. The delegation will be reviewing a draft of the bill.

As chairman of the delegation, Rep. Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, is responsible for scheduling the meeting and announced the date on Dec. 3.

Lawmakers will be in committee meetings the first two weeks of the month, Schenck said.

He also had to account for the possibility of a special session being called in January to deal with the state's worsening budget crisis.

As well, the goal is to have a Spring Hill Fire bill ready for the Legislature's approval for that session, Schenck said. There must be at least a 30-day notice period between the time the local delegation approves the draft of the bill and the Legislature's vote on it, so Dec. 30 is "the safest day" in that regard, he said.

"Obviously (that day) is none of our first choices, but it's just one of those years," Schenck said.

Rocco said she understood that, and so she tried another tack: She wrote a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist on Sunday asking him to keep Hernando's delegation in mind as he considers dates for the special session.

"I feel it would be important to hear from as many individuals as possible on county issues and concerns," Rocco wrote.

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, said he agrees, but noted that most constituents unable to attend the meeting can usually make arrangements to have someone go in their place. Fasano said he will be at the meeting.

So, too, will Rep. Ron Schultz, a Homosassa Republican whose district includes a sliver of central Hernando, according to his legislative assistant Dawn Faherty.

Sen. Paula Dockery will not be able to attend, said her assistant, Sarah Hardy. The Lakeland Republican had already made travel plans when the date was announced, Hardy said.

Someone from Dockery's staff will attend, she said.

Schenck said those who can't make it should call his office to talk about the issue that concerns them.

"A lot of times it's more effective," Schenck said.

The meeting is slated for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the county commission chambers of the County Government Center, 20 N. Main Street.

Those who wish to speak are asked to call ahead to get on the agenda. Speakers are given three minutes. Some time may be reserved for constituents who don't call ahead if time permits.

To reserve a spot or for more information, call Schenck's office at 688-5004.