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Planner may fill in for Adams
The planning director might become interim county administrator as a nationwide search looks for a permanent successor to Gary Adams.
By ASJYLYN LODER
Published October 13, 2005
BROOKSVILLE - Hernando County planning director Larry Jennings emerged Wednesday as the favored interim successor to County Administrator Gary Adams.
Further, the commission voted to begin a nationwide search for a permanent replacement for Adams, whose last day is Nov. 23.
"If I can help transition things, I am willing to work at that," said Jennings, 55, who has worked for the county for more than 30 years. He remained noncommittal about any interest in the permanent position.
Commissioners Chris Kingsley, Jeff Stabins and Nancy Robinson voiced support for Jennings, but Commissioner Diane Rowden worried that additional duties would overburden him.
Kingsley argued that planning and development issues dominate the county's work.
"Who better to assist in those issues than Larry?" Kingsley asked.
The commission delayed a decision until its regular meeting Tuesday , although Jennings said he will be absent that day.
The county will advertise nationwide to attract applicants for the post and will accept applications through Nov. 15, said Barbara Dupre, the county's human resources director. She expected from 50 to 125 applicants.
If commissioners stick to an aggressive schedule, the new county administrator could start work as early as February, Dupre said.
The new administrator will be the county's fifth in less than a decade, with the last four administrators lasting just one to two years. Adams began work in June 2004. In submitting his resignation Tuesday, he said the constant negativity he and his colleagues faced wore him down. He accepted a job as village administrator in Oswego, Ill., a town 50 miles southwest of Chicago.
The commission was divided on where to look for its new administrator. Robinson expressed a preference in keeping the search in-house for at least two weeks, but later voted to support advertising nationwide.
Adams sat silent through most of Wednesday's meeting, occasionally nodding his thanks to well-wishers who approached the podium.
Asjylyn Loder can be reached at aloder@sptimes.com or 352 754-6127.
[Last modified October 13, 2005, 01:11:19]
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