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Druzbick earns nod over Sager for District 3

Hernando Today
Published: August 4, 2012

Issue: County commission District 3 Republican primary.

Our opinion: John Druzbick deserves second term.

The Republican primary for Hernando County Commission District 3 has been hotly contested from day one.

The race features incumbent John Druzbick squaring off against political upstart Jason Sager, who two years ago lost a bid for U.S. Congress to former Hernando County Sheriff Rich Nugent.

Even with Sager on the offensive since the word go, Druzbick has done well to keep on task and run a campaign based largely on his first four years in office.

Not many seeking re-election would vote for a millage roll back in an election year to help offset the anticipated budget shortfall for fiscal year 2012-13.

Druzbick defends his recent vote by saying the days of using reserves to balance the budget are over.

While roughly $6 million remains in a judicial reserve fund, Druzbick favors using that money to attract new businesses and industry to the area in an effort to compete with surrounding counties that are already doing the same.

In contrast, Sager favors using a combination of reserves and going line by line through the budget to determine what additional cuts can be made within various departments to help close the gap.

For someone not experienced with government budgets, going line by line through one does not seem like the wisest use of time. Continuing to use reserves to balance a budget is also questionable.

Listening to Sager speak it is easy to understand why voters are drawn to him. He is a polished public speaker who plays to the crowd. However, when you take a closer look at some of his statistics concerning county government, they don't always appear to add up to numbers provided by county staff, which his opponent is quick to point out.

Druzbick favors working with the school district and Pasco-Hernando Community College to provide more vocational training to ensure a workforce is available as business expands. After all, what good is new business and industry if we don't have qualified people to fill the new positions?

Sager's notion to combine all of the permitting and inspection processes under business development will not work. Druzbick has rightly pointed out that while the county controls some aspects of processing applications for a new business or expansion, state building codes and rules cannot be loosened.

While there's no question Sager cares about Hernando County, it seems he still has much to learn about how government operates and the rules and regulations that must be adhered.

Druzbick has been forced to make tough decisions under the worst economic conditions this county has ever seen. He deserves credit for helping keep the county afloat during less than ideal times and has earned the right to finish the job he started four years ago.

Hernando Today recommends voters cast their ballots for Druzbick.