News

'Open mike' time for citizens

By Michael D. Bates | Hernando Today
Published: December 6, 2012

BROOKSVILLE - Monday's town hall meeting will not be a time for speeches from elected officials, says County Commissioner Wayne Dukes.

It's a time for citizens to speak their mind, Dukes told the audience at Tuesday's workshop.

County Administrator Len Sossamon also stressed Monday's meeting will be free of staff presentations.

"It is an open mike for the citizens of Hernando County," Sossamon said.

Sossamon has arranged a town hall meeting for Dec. 10 at the Northcliffe Baptist Church fellowship hall, 10515 Northcliffe Blvd. in Spring Hill.

Only six months on the job, Sossamon is knee-deep into writing his long-range strategic plan for Hernando County and wants to hear from Hernando County residents about what they believe to be priorities as staff begins to develop the budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

He said the town hall meeting will be a "drop-in" event, where people can attend as much of the session as they wish. They don't have to stay for the whole event.

Sossamon, county commissioners and staff will be on hand at the town hall meeting with two sessions available for residents to attend and give their input.

The two sessions are 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. The evening session will mirror the earlier one, he said.

"The difference between this town hall meeting and others we have held in the past is that we are not planning any staff presentations," Sossamon said in a news release. "We simply want to hear from the residents. If you have never attended a local town hall meeting before, please attend this one."

If this meeting is well attended, Sossamon will consider holding similar meetings throughout the county.

For more information, call the county administration at (352) 540-6780.