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Voters are dealing with two familiar names in the race for Hernando County Commission District 5.
The Democratic candidate, Chris Kingsley, served on the commission from 1998-2002, when his bid for re-election was upset by Robert Schenck.
The Republican candidate, Janey Baldwin, is making her third bid since 1992 for the commission. She earned a spot on this year's Nov. 2 general election ballot when she won a six-person primary by 50 votes, or only 18.9 percent of the ballots cast by registered Republicans.
A third person, Richard Power, has qualified to run as a write-in candidate.
But the bona fide contest in this race clearly is between Baldwin and Kingsley, whose platforms share the themes of better growth management and fiscal accountability. Both introduce good ideas into discussions about the county's future.
The differences voters should be tuned into in this race, however, are the candidates' judgment and attitudes. On those points, Kingsley earns our recommendation.
We are confident Kingsley, 52, will bring a more positive mind-set of teamwork to the commission. He demonstrated his ability to compromise and build consensus during his first term on the board.
Some of the issues commissioners are dealing with now date back to Kingsley's stint in office. He was one of the original proponents of the public transportation system and the curbside recycling program. He was a strong advocate for the ordinance that required so-called "big-box" stores to design more attractive facades and parking lots. He pushed for stricter regulation of commercial lighting that was invasive to residential areas.
Most notably, perhaps, was Kingsley's support of the residential road repaving plan. Without Kingsley's continued commitment, that important program could have died for lack of funding.
In this campaign, Kingsley wants residents to know that many of the candidates - including his opponent - who have accused the commission of wasteful spending and over-regulation, are either exaggerating or misinformed. This commission, he says, has taken steady strides to improve the quality of life in Hernando County and to look out for residents' long-term future. If elected, he wants to continue that progress by improving communication with the public.
That is not to say he is entirely satisfied with the commission's spending plan. Based on the added tax value of property in the county, he says he will move to lower the millage rate. He also does not support increasing impact fees on new home construction until the need is better justified.
Kingsley's 2002 defeat appears to have been a character-building experience for him. Not that he was lacking terribly when he was a commissioner, but now he seems more focused, even-keeled and appreciative of the position of trust and responsibility he held. His interim career as a teacher at Nature Coast Technical High School has drawn his attention to the need for the County Commission to work more closely with the School Board, as well as the Brooksville Council.
Baldwin, 75, has an impressive record of volunteerism on government boards. She has served on the Hillsborough River Basin Board, was chairwoman of the Gateway Committee that spruced up the intersection of State Road 50 and Interstate 75, has been active in the Chamber of Commerce and has been on several commission-appointed advisory boards. She also has painstakingly shared her thoughts at commission meetings. All that involvement is commendable.
However, Baldwin's tone has become strident to the point that it detracts from her message. She has been a longtime critic of the county attorney and the legal department, and she has made it clear that if she is elected she will target that staff, as well as the social services department, for personnel or budget reductions.
Despite recent weather events that would persuade even the most fiscally frugal government watchdogs, Baldwin has been unyielding in her criticism of plans to build a new Emergency Operations Center. She also has labeled the commission's purchase of Florida Water Services "poorly negotiated" and alleges that the commission "lacks leadership."
Too often, Baldwin has unleashed an acid tongue to dress down commissioners and staff with whom she disagreed. While lively discourse is a cornerstone of good government, those harsh criticisms make it more difficult for her to build alliances with her colleagues, and instill resentment in staff members.
On the other hand, Baldwin has well-placed support for the 20-year strategic plan County Administrator Gary Adams has proposed, as well as the road repair program. In addition, she has hung onto a good idea from a previous campaign, which is to fund a day care center for county employees.
Without a doubt, Baldwin can do this job. Her private business experience and her volunteer work on government boards has prepared her for the opportunity.
But Kingsley can do it, too. He already has. More to the point, he did it well.
The key question in this race becomes how each candidate would do the job. We believe Kingsley will bring a more constructive, upbeat and open-minded perspective to the job. We recommend him for the District 5 seat.
OPPORTUNITY TO REPLYCandidates who are not recommended by the Times are invited to respond. Replies for this race must be received no later than noon Tuesday, Oct. 19. Replies are limited to approximately 250 words. Deliver to: Jeff Webb, Editor of Editorials, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd. Brooksville, FL 34613. Fax to: 352 754-6133. E-mail responses to webb@sptimes.com