Anti-Independence Signs Are Cropping Up

They know they don't have $10,000 to spend on campaign signs.

They have made only a few so far, but they want their message to be heard and seen, no matter how much they are being outnumbered or outspent.

"One county, one fire department," Ty Lynch said. "It saves money. It is more economical. I don't want to hear any of this 'Spring Hill is better trained, so you're getting better care.'"

Lynch was joined at the kitchen table Sunday by his wife, Joan. The two had their own sign in the front yard.

It reads, "Consolidate, Economize, Cooperate - Vote No On Spring Hill Fire/Rescue Independence."

They both are convinced an independent fire district in Spring Hill would give the board more latitude with taxpayer money.

The district has its own board of fire commissioners, but the county still has the final say on budgetary matters.

Spring Hill residents will vote Nov. 4 on whether to make their fire service separate from the county. Twice before, they have voted against it. This time, the stakes are higher than ever.

A no vote means the fire board will be dissolved and the county will have ownership of all the district's assets. That's what the Lynches want.

Ty Lynch was a volunteer medic in Charlottesville, Va., before he moved to Florida more than a decade ago. Up there, volunteer fire and rescue services are common. In Florida, mostly everyone is paid. He discovered soon after he moved to Hernando County his services and experience would not be needed, he said.

"There were too many liability concerns," he said.

He and his wife have paid close attention to media reports from Spring Hill Fire Rescue Board of Fire Commission meetings.

Lynch was offended by comments made by Chairman Charles Raborn a few months ago that the fire department was in the business of "saving lives, not saving dollars."

The former medic believes taxpayers can have both.

Joan Lynch dislikes the fire union's language in its pursuit of independence from the county.

"I personally feel threatened," she said.

She referred to the slogan, "Save Your Service, Support Spring Hill Firefighters."

"Does that mean they won't come if my house is on fire if we vote no?" she asked.

Her husband complained about the district's record-keeping practices, having at least one former union member on the fire board and the district's decision to purchase a ladder truck in an area with no tall buildings.

Ty Lynch said other residents share their opposition to an independent fire district. He and his wife have met with many of them in recent weeks.

"We are part of Hernando County," he said. "Why do we have a separate, better-paid, better-equipped fire service? It doesn't make sense."