Last mission to repair the Hubble telescope
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Rays fan guide to the Trop Print |
 Email story |
 Comment |
 Letter to the editor |
New Commissioner Joyce Valentino moves into a new address on election night, as required by law.
By JUSTIN GEORGE
Published November 4, 2004
INVERNESS - After celebrating her victory in the District 5 County Commission race at Coach's Pub & Eatery late into election night, Joyce Valentino couldn't go home without going home first.
So she stopped by the house she has lived in for most of this decade to pick up some pajamas and clothes to wear on Wednesday. Then she went over to the three-bedroom house at 2907 Reagan St. in Inverness, where she met her husband, Sal.
"We had some peaceful time together," Valentino said. "The phone won't be on for another six days and there was no TV."
While the new living quarters provided Valentino with well-deserved peace and quiet after one of the hardest-fought, contentious County Commission races in recent history, tranquility was an aftereffect. The real reason she slept at the home, owned by her grown daughter, Michelle, was because she was required to under state statutes.
County commissioners are elected at-large by all voters and make decisions for the entire county. But each of the five members represent a certain part of the county, and are required to live there during their terms. District 5 encompasses much of northeast Citrus, including Hernando, Holder and parts of Inverness that includes Valentino's newest address.
The house Valentino had called home over the past several years, 9264 S Hammock Ave. in the Heatherwood neighborhood of Inverness, lies in another district.
MaryAnn Quinn-Williams, deputy chief of the Citrus County Supervisor of Elections Office, said that, according to state law, Valentino was required to live in District 5 as early as Tuesday night.
"She knew she had to," Quinn-Williams said. "She knew she had to immediately when she qualified (for a ballot spot.) I make it abundantly clear whenever someone qualifies (for office)."
Valentino said she slowly has been moving into her daughter's home during the past nine months in anticipation of Tuesday night's deadline. The home is not often used, she said, because her daughter works as a traveling bookkeeper or accountant.
Valentino said she already has changed her driver's license and voter registration to reflect the new address. The power bill is now in her name, as well.
While Valentino said she will spend nights there, her husband and the couple's granddaughter, Amber, whom they are raising, will reside at the home on Hammock Avenue.
Valentino said that decision was made after Amber refused to leave her home and amenities such as a pool, Jacuzzi and dishwasher she has grown used to.
The Valentinos also do not want to sell their home or rent it out.
"I'm sure they'll be over for some nights," Valentino said of her family. "It's not unusual for an elected official to have a home because they're an elected official."
"I will be at the new home just as much as I was at my old home," Valentino said. "I'll be on the road a lot."
In the future, Valentino said, she plans to either buy a home or build one in the Hernando area.
"I would like to move on the water," she said.
Valentino's victory signaled major changes on the County Commission, which loses two incumbents. By winning 54 percent of the votes, Valentino, a Republican, defeated Democrat Josh Wooten, a first-term commissioner, by a margin of 5,288 votes.
Republican Dennis Damato beat Democrat Jimmy Carr in District 1 by 11,826 votes. He received 59 percent of the votes; previously, in the GOP primary, Damato had ousted two-term incumbent Roger Batchelor.
Wooten attributed his loss to a bitter partisan presidential race that may have spurred voters to vote along party lines all the way down the ballot. In Citrus County, 57 percent of voters voted for President Bush.
"I think that it was a Republican landslide, and I think they (Republicans) got out and voted," he said Wednesday.
"Dennis Damato got 59 percent of the vote," Wooten reasoned. "Our philosophies and appeal to voters was very similar. That indicates that it was a party thing more than a philosophical thing."
Wooten said he plans to stay active in the community with organizations such as Keep Citrus Beautiful while he runs his Hernando car dealership.
"I feel at peace today," he said. "I look forward to turning the page."
Carr sounded much the same after his defeat.
"I'm fine, really. You win some and lose some," he said Wednesday. "I like Dennis, and I wish him the best, and I congratulate him."
Valentino and Damato will be sworn in Nov. 16.
Justin George can be reached at 352 860-7309 or jgeorge@sptimes.com
[Last modified November 4, 2004, 00:40:23]
|
© 2011 · All Rights Reserved · Tampa Bay Times |
