District 3 Race: A Study In Contrasts

The District 3 County Commission race is a study in contrasts: two-term incumbent, Diane Rowden, pitting her "people skills" against John Druzbick, relying on his business experience.

Rowden, a fixture on the county commission since 2000, credits her longevity to her vibrant personality.

"Everyone says this job needs to have a business person," Rowden says. "No, you don't. You need a people-person. This is about the people."

Democrat Rowden is seeking re-election to a third term in November. This time around she faces a strong challenge from Republican opponent John Druzbick.

Druzbick says he too has forged a strong bond with people because of his 12-year tenure on the county school board. He believes his strong community ties make him a recognizable face. He qualified for the District 3 race by acquiring 1,198 signed petition cards.

But unlike Rowden, Druzbick is touting his business experience.

With the exception of County Commissioner David Russell, who owns a pool company, Druzbick believes there is a lack of "business sense" on the board.

"Government is not a business, but it sure needs to be run like one," Druzbick said.

Druzbick says Hernando County's budget has more than doubled in the last five years, yet residents must contend with miles of unpaved roads, incompleted and underfunded projects.

"We have people moving out of Hernando County because they cannot afford to live here any longer," he said.

Rowden supports County Administrator David Hamilton's streamlining plan, which she believes will lead to better management and stronger accountability.

She points to the recent twin public budget hearings - which attracted few residents - as a sign that the public is embracing those streamlining efforts.

She said much of the "anti-incumbent" attitude of last year was pushed by certain individuals and groups, such as "Government Gone Wild," a grassroots organization that purported to show government waste.

"We've lowered the millage, streamlined government and we're doing what the people mandated," she said.

But Druzbick thinks commissioners have not done enough, particularly in boosting the economy.

Commissioners, he said, must diversify the industrial base of Hernando County and no longer assume that the construction industry will support the local economy.