Editorials

Mullis deserves nod in commission primary

Hernando Today
Published: August 17, 2010

The issue: County commission District 2 Republican primary.

Our opinion: Mullis is voters' best choice.

If you want to know details of how county government operates, why it's performing poorly and how it can be improved, it's always good to keep up with the news and analysis in Hernando Today.

Or you could just ask Ty Mullis.

When it comes to county government, Mullis, a candidate in the District 2 Republican primary, knows his stuff. He was by far the most knowledgeable and articulate candidate that we interviewed this election season.

He also has the correct philosophy: Cut the spending and make government smaller and more accountable to the needs of businesses and the taxpayers.

Mullis, 40, sums up his beliefs using facts and figures that are indisputable: Per capita spending of county government has gone from about $1,400 in 2003 to more than $2,700 this year.

That's almost double. That's shameful. Now that the economy has tanked in concert with the housing bust, it's reprehensible.

"Cuts must be made, departments must be smaller in most cases and spending has to be scrutinized," Mullis said during his candidate interview with Hernando Today.

Mullis believes reducing government spending will automatically lower the cost of living in Hernando County, which is why most people decided to live here in the first place.

We couldn't agree more.

Mullis, who worked as a project manager for 10 years at an engineering firm in Spring Hill, also believes government has become far too bureaucratic and cumbersome, with too many meaningless ordinances and a permitting process that discourages new and expanding business.

Ask any small business owner who recently built or expanded in Hernando County, and you hear nothing but nightmare stories.

Mullis faces Wayne Dukes and William Kingeter in the primary. The winner will take on incumbent Democrat County Commissioner Rose Rocco in November. Dukes, who is seeking his third run for a seat on the commission, is a Hernando County native who also has solid plans on how to cut government. However, Mullis has a more persuasive delivery and is more confident in maintaining his positions. He's also done his homework.

It's our recommendation that voters cast their ballots for Mullis on Tuesday, Aug. 24.