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ROBERT KINGDarryl Hamilton, who often asked tough questions during meetings, plans to move to Marion County.
SPRING HILL - During his short tenure as a fire commissioner, Darryl Hamilton made a habit of asking tough questions and pointing out trouble spots in the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District.
But less than two years after joining the fire commission, Hamilton is resigning his post. The reason: He plans to leave the congestion of Spring Hill for a move north to Marion County.
Hamilton, 61, will leave the fire board on Wednesday. The Hernando County Commission must appoint someone to serve out the rest of his term.
At his first meeting as a fire commissioner in November 2002, Hamilton questioned whether fire Chief J.J. Morrison had overstepped his authority and challenged Fire Commission Chairman Jeffrey Hollander about a possible conflict of interest.
In subsequent meetings, Hamilton questioned the quality of the fire department's investigation of three firefighters involved in a sex scandal, criticized the department's web of personal ties as "too chummy" and called for spending to be reined in.
Hamilton proposed that Fire Commission meetings be televised in an effort to bring greater accountability and public access to the board. But that idea died for lack of support.
Unhappy that the department's budget grew 11 percent last year, he proposed cuts to rein in spending but was voted down. Morrison, meanwhile, took the criticism of his budget as a personal attack.
Hamilton, a retired loss prevention officer for an insurance company, said his departure has nothing to do with the roadblocks he faced.
"I came from an executive position where you question your managers, and you question them closely," Hamilton said. "I think I brought an objective viewpoint that tended to reflect the interests of the citizens of Spring Hill, the taxpayers of the district."
To fill the vacancy created by Hamilton's departure, the County Commission is accepting applications.
Forms are available in the County Administrator's Office at 20 N Main St., Brooksville, Room 460. Or call 754 4002. Applications must be returned by 5 p.m. April 23.
Applicants must be residents of the Fire Rescue District and registered voters in Hernando County.
- Robert King covers Spring Hill and can be reached at 848-1432. Send e-mail to rking@sptimes.com