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Fire district lawyer tosses Hernando board a referendum curveball
By
Barbara Behrendt and Chandra Broadwater, Times Staff Writers
In print: Wednesday, May 7, 2008
BROOKSVILLE — County commissioners were just about to set public hearing dates for the long awaited Spring Hill Fire Rescue referendum for independence on Tuesday when the fire district's attorney threw them a curveball. Fabian Lodenauth gave the board a letter asking them to call off the planned November referendum and instead go directly to the Legislature in January to create the independent district. That would leave an election in 2009 for residents to vote on the independent district and a millage cap. By going directly to lawmakers in Tallahassee, while avoiding the first non-binding vote, the county could keep from paying for an extra election, he explained. But commissioners, who have grappled with the highly charged issue for months, were not anxious to change course. The move would essentially create an independent district without voter approval. "With all due respect, we've been working on this a number of months now,'' said Commissioner Rose Rocco. "I thought we'd come to an agreement.'' The commission decided that the citizens of Spring Hill should make the choice, "and I still feel that way,'' Rocco said. Because the November vote would essentially be a "straw ballot," Assistant Chief Bill Davies said that it makes sense to have only one vote. He said the proposal does not represent a lack of support for the planned November referendum. "We're not in any way, shape or form trying to do away with the referendum," Davies said. "The people have to decide if they want an independent district or not. We're just trying to combine the two votes to save money." Commissioner Dave Russell said he expected that, if the issue goes straight to the Legislature, a staff report will question why there was no referendum and would dredge up the history of votes on the issue in Spring Hill where voters have said no to an independent fire district. Commissioners have until September to decide on the latest proposal. On Tuesday, the board voted to set the first public hearing for June 17. That gives the fire district and the county enough time to tweak ballot language, if the board decides decide to do so. Chandra Broadwater can be reached at cbroadwater@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1432. Barbara Behrendt can be reached at behrendt@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1434.
[Last modified: May 09, 2008 11:12 AM]
Comments on this article
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by Brian
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May 9, 2008 11:12 AM
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Independent fire districts here in Lee County provide supurb service and low taxes. We enjoy some of the lowest and best fire insurance rates in Florida today. Spring Hill can do it, too.
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by Long time Spring Hill Resident
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May 8, 2008 12:10 PM
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Spring Hill should be and needs to be independent!
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by ryan
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May 8, 2008 9:11 AM
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pinellas also has one agency governing all the fire depts. and it doesnt work that well, its too expensive.
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by fred
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May 7, 2008 5:05 PM
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pinellas has 15 depts and 4 dispatch centers. hillsborough has 5 depts and 4 dispatch centers. what am i learning from bigger counties other than it works with multiple depts just fine.
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by shorty
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May 7, 2008 4:44 PM
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When all is said and done with this issue, I wonder what the total amount of tax payers money was wasted on legal fees. I bet you coulda put another truck on the road with just that alone.
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by Wayne
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May 7, 2008 11:56 AM
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All ego's aside, the County would be better served with one agency, all working for the same goal, Protect the people. 1 Command Staff, 1 SOP, 1 dispatch. Everyone on the same page working together. Look to larger counties, and learn. (Orla
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by geezer
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May 7, 2008 11:53 AM
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We are already going to the polls in November so how does this save money? The turnout in Nov would also be much larger. Or is that what you're trying to avoid?
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by Maryann
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May 7, 2008 11:06 AM
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Whoa! Spring Hill Fire District. How can you lobby for independence when the voters have not yet said yes to independence! Remember, we already said no twice!!!
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