Raborn Nearly Convinced He Won't Run For Board

SPRING HILL - He's not 100 percent sure, but he's close.

Spring Hill Fire Rescue Board Chairman Charles Raborn said it is highly unlikely he will campaign to keep his seat.

The top fire boss has to answer to a boss of his own - and she told him not to run.

"It's mostly because of my family," he said. "My wife asked me not to. Personally, I want to continue to serve the district ... but my wife kind of wins out in the argument."

Raborn has been a diplomat at times, but has had his volatile moments. He has gone on rants against the local media, fellow commissioners and those critics who claim the board hasn't been financially responsible.

He admitted the last four years have taken an emotional toll on him.

"I take a lot of this personally," he said.

Raborn is an inspector for Pasco County Fire Rescue. Two months ago, he mentioned his department was contemplating job cutbacks. To be safe, he is going to school this year to make himself "more marketable" in case he needs to find another position elsewhere. That also played a part in his decision, he said.

In his mind, one of his greatest achievements was influencing the board to purchase a ladder truck.

Some critics complained the district never needed the vehicle because there are no high rises in Spring Hill. Raborn said ladder trucks are needed for retail centers and large box stores.

Sprinkler systems and hand-line hoses are not enough to combat a fire in a 100,000-square-foot building stocked with merchandise, he said.

"I fought hard for it," Raborn recalled. "I was told by one commissioner to let it go because it won't happen, but it happened."

Raborn was elected to the board in 2004 and became chairman in 2006. He served at a time when Spring Hill grew massively, both in development and population.

During his term, the district's millage levy decreased from 2.70 to less than 2.27, but tax revenues still increased from $5.6 million to more than $9.1 million this year.

"We're not in the red and we're not hurting," he said. "We had to tighten our belts, but we're not running two-man engines out there ... I think this department is way better now than it was 10 years ago."

Raborn would not close the door on running again in 2010 or later. He also promised to attend as many meetings as he could.

"I feel I could still help the department from the outside," he said.

Two other fire commissioners - George Biro and Rob Giammarco - have filed and are running for re-election this November. Three more candidates - Jim Monk, Amy Brosnan and Benjamin Edwards - also are vying for the three open seats on the board. The three top vote-getters will occupy those seats in January.

Biro, who declared his candidacy earlier this month, wishes Raborn would change his mind.

"It's a shame he's not running," said Biro. "He was instrumental in getting Station 3 renovated. He was instrumental in getting the ladder truck. Overall, he really cared about the fire department and the people of Spring Hill."