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'You're not going to get me out'
By ALEX LEARY, Times Staff Writer BEVERLY HILLS -- Joe Cino has lost more than a few contests in his long and colorful career in Citrus County politics. He has failed four times as a County Commission candidate and also lost a bid for a seat on the Mosquito Control Board. So why was the big man grinning, even a bit cocky, after a meeting of the Democratic Executive Committee Wednesday night? The controversial committee chairman may have a miserable track record at the polls, but he knows how to read a crowd. And on this night, he knew he was untouchable. "Apparently he's smart enough to have stacked the deck," said Ruth Anderson, a Democratic leader in Sugarmill Woods who called last week for Cino's resignation as committee chairman after a string of gaffes. Ousting Cino would have required the approval of two-thirds of the 35 committee members. "You're not going to get me out," Cino told his critics. "I have more votes than you." Anderson was most incensed with Cino's public prediction that Republican Charles Dean would crush Jimmy Carr, the Democratic candidate in the race for state House of Representatives District 43. "My personal opinion is Charlie Dean is going to squash him like a worm," Cino told the Citrus Times the day after the Sept. 10 primary. It was only the most recent flap. In May, Cino and fellow committee member Mike Gudis got into an argument and, according to some, Cino challenged his former friend to a fistfight and called him a "Jew boy." Cino claims Gudis had baited him during the meeting. Technically, a vote on Cino could not have occurred at the Beverly Hills Community Center Wednesday since the members were not notified in advance. But the prospect of an attempted coup gave the night a buzz anyway, and Cino's actions were a focal point. Anderson and others say Cino has not only hurt Carr's chances but the party's image as well. "If people really hated me so much, I would very easily say, "We'll get someone else,' " Anderson said. "This man is going to be a thorn in our side." That remains to be seen. Cino has said he planned to step down from the post after the November general election. Two years remain in his term. In the face of criticism, though, he has said he would reconsider leaving voluntarily. "If you keep antagonizing me, I'll stay." Reminded that members of the committee were bound by a loyalty oath, Cino said that did not mean he had to muzzle his personal opinions. "This is America," he said. "I have my rights." Cino told the committee he wished he expressed his comments about the Dean/Carr race differently, but stands by the prediction. His wife, Cindy, backed him on that point, making an analogy about a hometown football team going up against a stronger and faster opponent. "You've got to be honest," Joe Cino said after the meeting, leaning on his Ford Expedition. "You have David and Goliath here." Though Anderson was quite vocal during the meeting, many members of the committee declined to comment about Cino, saying the party needed to show unity before the election. "After the election all hell is going to break loose," Gudis said. Gudis' comments were cut short by a voice from across the parking lot. "Mr. Gudis, excuse me, I have to go. You are blocking me." It was Joe Cino. -- Alex Leary can be reached at 564-3623 or leary@sptimes.com.
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