Turbulent economy dominated 2009 news in Hernando County

In Hernando County, 2009 was a year of home foreclosures, empty storefronts, cutbacks and job losses. With a 14 percent unemployment rate, Hernando personified the very worst of the nationwide recession.

But it was also a year in which people tried to weather the storm and to recover. Some reinvented themselves and found new careers; others took risks and found gratitude in life's simple pleasures.

The top story of 2009 is more than just dreadful numbers: it is about people impacted by forces beyond their control. Here are some of their stories.

• • •

Walt Brown, 46, remembers his first job, 30 years ago, at Dunkin' Donuts. Eventually, he left to make better money driving a truck to support his family. And for years he lived a comfortable, middle-class existence.

In the last few years, however, things began to turn sour. His son died of heart problems, and his marriage of 24 years fell apart. He gave everything to his wife, right down to the burial plots they had purchased together in Spring Hill.

Now he's come full circle. He gets up in the wee hours and rides his bicycle to work. He's back at Dunkin' Donuts, making doughnuts and an hourly wage. And that's just fine by him.

"I like what I'm doing," he said. "I'm not starving. I can pay my bills."

• • •

Mike McHugh has the unenviable job of leading Hernando County's efforts to revive the economy as the director of Economic Development.

"I've lived in Florida all my life," he said. "I've never seen anything of this magnitude. I can't think of anyone the economy hasn't impacted."

• • •

In November, Hernando's unemployment rate soared from 14 to 14.7 percent. "That's a big jump," said Ken Russ, vice president of the Pasco Hernando Workforce Board. "It kind of shocked us."

The day the new numbers were released, like most days this year, dozens of job seekers flocked to Career Central's computers and counselors.

One of them, Jesse Macedo, 24, has served two tours with the Army in Iraq. He'd like eventually to work in law enforcement. He spoke with the veteran's representative at Career Central, but didn't leave with a job.

"There's only so much they can do," Macedo said.

• • •

Hernando County's financial health is inexorably linked to building; when construction stops, so does the local economy.

In 2005, when the real estate boom was in full flower, 4,185 building permits were issued for new homes here. In 2009, between January and November, only 134 were issued — representing a 97 percent drop.

• • •

Scott Hobbs, 34, has spent most of his life working in construction. When the work dried up, he turned to plan B, and now he drives a delivery truck for Spring Lake Water. There's a big difference in the money he made in the housing market's gold rush and what he makes now, but he's got a roof over his head and can pay his bills.

"There was big money all the time in construction," Hobbs said.

He lives in Brooksville and plans to work his way to bigger trucks with more benefits.

• • •

Home prices dropped 4.7 percent between November 2008 and November 2009. Those in the real estate business say the market has hit bottom and is on the way up.

"Real estate in Hernando County is very affordable and buyers understand that we're at the bottom of the decline in values, making it a wise time to purchase real estate with the understanding it is a long-term investment," said Marilyn Pearson-Adams, of the Hernando County Association of Realtors.

• • •

Chris and May Lemonis took advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit and purchased their first home this year on a quiet street in Spring Hill. It didn't feel like a very risky move.

"The mortgage, including taxes and insurance, is less than our rent," said Chris Lemonis.

• • •

The recession has forced people out of their comfort zones and made them more aware of how precarious their financial situation truly is.

"People really need to think about financial security, plan for it," said Jean Rags, Hernando's director of Health and Human Services. "The downturn in the economy has opened people's eyes. They need to put money away."

• • •

Joyce Mann, 24, is pregnant with her first child. She moved to the region six years ago for a job with Citibank. "I came here for the good pay," she said. "And stayed for the weather."

Aside from temporary work as a customer service manager, she has been unemployed for two years. She thinks differently about money now.

"When (the economy) turns around and I'm making $100,000 again, it's less likely that I'll be spending six bucks on coffee again," she said.

• • •

Big stores like Circuit City and Linens 'n Things disappeared this year. But within a few months, HHGregg and Bed Bath & Beyond arrived, filling the spaces and hiring staff.

Denise Cornelius decided the time had come to follow her dream of opening a bakery. On a recent morning, customers lined up at her shop, Spring Hill's Cupcake Heaven, for their favorites.

"It's going well," Cornelius said.

• • •

Lisa Callea, founder of the nonprofit Love Your Neighbor, saw numbers of homeless county residents. She contacted landlord Jacqueline Ambrose for help. Ambrose can't afford to do without paying tenants altogether, but she has let some continue living in units even after their money runs out. They help in other ways when they can.

"God blesses me all the time," Ambrose said. "I feel like it's my obligation to do everything I can. I was a single parent for many years. I struggled; I know how it is."

• • •

Beth Lilly, 49, is the custodial grandparent of 8-year-old Uriah, who loves chess and board games like Sorry and Clue. Until 2003, Lilly worked in a Hernando lime rock mine. Compared to now, those were the good times.

"I had money, insurance … things were very different then," she said. "I've survived by the grace of God."

Lilly receives food stamps and a small allowance from the state for her grandson's care. But she tries to remain philosophical about her plight.

"There's one thing about having no money," she said. "You don't have to worry about it."

Shary Lyssy Marshall can be reached at slmarshall.sptimes@gmail.com.