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County official calls for calm in debate with city
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, Times Staff Writer BROOKSVILLE -- County Commissioner Mary Aiken is calling for calm in the stormy relations between city and county officials. Talk of war and usurpation of powers is nonsense, Aiken says, suggesting that the community deserves better as the two governments discuss annexation, utility and other issues of mutual concern. "This is a difficult period for the city and the county," she told her fellow commissioners Tuesday. "I would like it for everybody to approach it in an adult manner, avoid the hyperbole we've heard in the papers." Other commissioners, who have spoken in strong terms about the city-county ties, downplayed Aiken's comments. Commissioner Betty Whitehouse, who has said the county might need to reconsider its plans to expand within the city, said she did not know why Aiken made her remarks. She agreed, though, that everyone should act in a civilized manner. She contended that has occurred to this point. Commissioner Diane Rowden, who once called the tense situation a "war," said she believed Aiken had aimed the words her way. "Mary obviously enjoys taking digs at me," Rowden said. "I'm just not going to react to it because I'm on a level playing field with her. She's not my mother. She's not my boss. I can say whatever I want to say." She said she planned to meet with City Manager Dick Anderson next week. Also Tuesday, the commission did not consider relocating its $5-million public works and fleet center outside the city, noting a move would cost the county too much time and money. County Administrator Paul McIntosh put the idea on the agenda after commissioners raised several concerns about their relationship with the city.
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From today's Hernando Times |
