Several interesting events unfolded here in Hernando County during the past year from harsh weather to inter-governmental squabbles. Many river and coastal residents were swamped by Hurricane Hermine. We lost a few prominent Hernando County residents. We chose some new faces to serve in local government. A variety of new businesses both large and small popped up around the county. Some of our local government bodies clashed over funding issues. When looking back on the tougher situations, we see a community that joined together to overcome.
Hurricane Hermine swamped the coastal areas, causing flooding we have not seen since the 1993 “No Name Storm.” The community came together to help those affected by the flood. Taipei Taipei in Brooksville offered to serve those affected by the storm or those in need of a good meal, but may not have had the money to pay. The restaurant posted the following message on their facebook page, “If you can’t cook, I can. If you are worried about money, it’s on me…” A group of volunteers assembled in Hernando Beach to help residents clean out their flooded homes. Volunteers included Central High School ROTC students. There were so many examples of community members assisting those in need, Hurricane Hermine will hopefully be remembered in Hernando County for illustrating our community’s resilience and good will.
This year we lost several pillars of the community. Looking back on the year 2016 gives us a chance to remember these individuals and the indelible mark they left on us. Champion of Brooksville and Air Force Veteran Frasier Mountain accumulated a wealth of Hernando County history over his 92 year lifetime. His collection of historical information was an asset many publications relied on. Long time Hernando High coach Ernie Chatman passed unexpectedly. Ernie was remembered for inspiring young athletes to become better people. He coached a number of sports for several schools and helped a handful of athletes continue on the path to becoming professionals. The field at Tom Varn park was named in honor of Ernie Chatman. It is now known as “Ernie Chatman Field at Tom Varn Stadium.” We also lost Nick Ruggiero who oversaw the growth of the Spring Hill Fire Department from “meager beginnings” to the establishment of three fire stations.
In local government, The City of Brooksville annexed several properties which the county objected to, leading to litigation between the two. One of the major issues in the litigation is the county alleging that the city chose not to annex certain properties based on racial bias. The City of Brooksville has refuted this repeatedly. Additionally, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office filed a lawsuit against the county for not fully funding the budget submitted by the Sheriff.
Despite the squabbles, these agencies had several notable achievements. The Sheriff’s Office made busts on drug traffickers, dog fighting rings, grow houses and chop shops making our community safer. They played an integral role in responding to the victims of Hurricane Hermine. The county provided incentives to local manufacturing businesses to create more jobs and created the Kass Circle CRA in order to improve the local economy in that area. The City of Brooksville battled with Sensys and chose to let the Brooksville Red light Camera contract expire at the end of October, ridding the area of the unpopular turn right on a red light camera fines. However, the equipment to monitor the right turn on red light is still in place and could be turned on with a vote of the Brooksville City council.
We had a number of new businesses open up in the county.
The Brooksville Brewing Company, a microbrewery, opened on US 19 in the former Rookie’s restaurant. A number of new restaurants opened in the county, many of which we featured in restaurant reviews. Construction is underway on an Aldi’s and Chipotle on Cortez is nearing completion. Hernando County gained a weekly local newspaper. The Hernando Sun switched from publishing monthly to weekly on April 1, 2016.
This year we had an election. The voters elected two new county commissioners Steve Champion and John Allocco who had not served before. They also re-elected a third commissioner Nick Nicholson who was seeking his second term in office. The voters re-elected Gus Guadagnino and a new member Linda Prescott to the School Board. Joe Bernardini was elected to the Brooksville City Council again after being off for a few years. Voters also passed a constitutional amendment to allow medical marijuana in Florida. It was a good election for constitutional amendments, since four of five passed. The failing amendment was a solar amendment funded by the power companies. In Hernando County, every partisan race was won by Republicans.
With lessons learned in 2016, the year 2017 holds plenty of promise. Like every year, community members will work together to improve the county and people who have contributed will move on.