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MARY SPICUZZAAt its first visioning retreat, the County Commission discusses the future in terms of land, people and businesses.
BROOKSVILLE - The future of Hernando County might have become a bit clearer Wednesday.
The County Commission spent the day at its first visioning retreat. The goal was to give commissioners a chance to focus on Hernando's future - to reflect on both where they want to go and how best to get there.
"Can you describe Hernando County 20 years in the future?" retreat facilitator Steve Rosenthal asked the board.
Rosenthal, who runs Training Tree Inc., an organization dedicated to the visioning and strategic planning process, served as a guide through the board's daylong session at First United Methodist Church in Brooksville.
His philosophy: "Without a plan you wander aimlessly, vulnerable to management by mob action!"
To avoid such a fate, Rosenthal encouraged county commissioners to come up with a list of core values .
Sincerity, friendliness, stewardship and integrity topped the list.
"I don't think a lot of these can happen without compassion," Commissioner Diane Rowden said.
Commissioners sorted through everything from their top principles to main goals for the county.
They closed their eyes and envisioned their ideal Hernando County of the future.
Rosenthal urged commissioners to be like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, following their own yellow brick road to a brighter future.
He quizzed them about the fate of the land as well as the residents.
"Are they old or are they young?" he asked. "Do they feel like they're happy being here? Are they content?"
Commissioners discussed plans for Hernando in terms of its land, people, businesses and quality of life.
While much of the day was devoted to general goals, some specific suggestions emerged, such as building an industrial center at the local airport, decreasing the county's median age, creating a large central park and developing more cultural and entertainment centers.
"We're starting to jell," Commissioner Jeff Stabins said as the group brainstormed more plans.
By day's end, commissioners had come up with eight "broad, big picture" ideas, County Administrator Gary Adams said:
Improving the industrial/commercial to residential ratio.
Developing sustained recreational systems to include a central park and other amenities.
Providing tax relief alternatives.
Offering a countywide multimodal transportation system.
Promoting a unified vision for the county and Brooksville.
Creating partnerships with businesses, schools and other governmental entities.
Building greater emergency preparedness.
Offering better customer service.
Adams, who became county administrator a year ago, said he would take all the goals back to his office and determine who will work on them and how the county will go about achieving them.
Some commissioners seemed wary at the end of the day, but others said they couldn't wait to see their plans in action.
"We'll be the best-looking county in the state of Florida," Commissioner Nancy Robinson said.
Mary Spicuzza can be reached at mspicuzza@sptimes.com or 352 848-1432.