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Saying goodbye brings tear to commissioner's eye
By WILL VAN SANT BROOKSVILLE -- Chris Kingsley said goodbye to the County Commission on Tuesday. Kingsley, 50, lost the District 4 commission seat Nov. 5 to political newcomer Robert Schenck. The upset loss stunned Kingsley, a Democrat whose interventionist stances on growth angered the business community and, in the minds of some observers, cost him an easy election win. As Kingsley began his remarks, which lasted less than five minutes, his voice was controlled. As he continued to speak, his voice broke several times and he had to pause to collect himself. Although tears were in his eyes by the time he finished speaking, Kingsley remained poised. "It's truly been wonderful," he said of his four years in office. "I believe in America's political process and I am proud to have been part of it." He thanked fellow commissioners and county staffers for their dedication to their work and for their support, singling out Chairwoman Nancy Robinson. Kingsley had suggested in recent days that Robinson held on to her seat in the Nov. 5 election by not taking firm stands on issues. The remarks had been misinterpreted, he said, and were not meant to be hurtful. Robinson led the commission and audience in a standing ovation when Kingsley finished, then presented him with a plaque honoring his service to the county. Later in the day, Commissioner Mary Aiken said she was surprised by how tough it was to see her colleague go. "I'm heartbroken," Aiken said. "I feel terrible." Commissioner Diane Rowden was known to have had differences with Kingsley, particularly when he served as commission chairman. Still, Rowden said that those conflicts were history and that she had come to rely on Kingsley's insights. "You can't fault anybody for their convictions," Rowden said. "He'll be missed." Contacted later in the day, Kingsley said he had a passion for being commissioner, particularly at a time when such dynamic change was affecting the county. "I enjoyed it, the good and the bad," he said. "It's hard to say goodbye."
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From today's Hernando Times Letters |
