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Appointee's ties to developer questioned

A member of a county citizens advisory panel is a lobbyist for a developer, though his application does not disclose it.

By DAN DeWITT
Published December 20, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - When Tom Barnette applied for a place on the county's newly formed Citizens Advisory Committee on Growth Plans, he listed his job as president of Euro-American Tours.

He said he hoped to aid "the development and growth of our county" and included, as references, an accountant, a real estate broker and an administrator at Pasco-Hernando Community College.

But he didn't say he was a lobbyist for Sierra Properties LLC, the company behind one of the most ambitious development projects in county history: Hickory Hill.

Barnette, who has run the custom tour business in Brooksville for 27 years, was hired in August to help Sierra promote the subdivision and navigate local politics.

"He's sort of a guy who helps us poor suckers from Tampa understand the briar patch of Hernando County," said Robert Thomas, who owns the 2,800-acre ranch in Spring Lake where Sierra wants to build three golf courses and 1,749 houses, some of them expected to cost more than $1-million.

No one has suggested that the lobbying work should disqualify Barnette from serving on the committee, which will help the commission plan for the new roads, parks and buildings that will serve future growth.

And County Attorney Garth Coller said members of the advisory committee, unlike elected officials and some public employees, are not required to fill out a complete financial disclosure form.

But some other members of the committee said they, and the public, have the right to know about such affiliations.

On his application, committee member Len Tria, a former county commissioner, identified himself as the "government liaison" for the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce and two other business groups.

"Obviously, you weigh the things I say and do with the people I represent. If you don't disclose this stuff, then I think it weakens your credibility," he said.

Committee member Brian Phillips, president of the Hernando Classroom Teachers Association, also said Barnette should disclose his affiliation with Sierra. Along with Tria, he said Barnette might have planned to do so at the first committee meeting, which is scheduled for Jan. 4.

"I think he should (tell the committee) and I'm assuming that he probably would have," Phillips said.

Barnette said he already has told county commissioners, who appointed him. Sierra directed him to do so, and to inform County Administrator Gary Adams, at the time he accepted the job. He also registered with the state as a lobbyist.

"There was no disguising this at all," he said.

County Commissioner Jeff Stabins, as well as several other commissioners contacted by the St. Petersburg Times , said Barnette had told them of his work with Sierra. Stabins also said he didn't think that Barnette's lobbying job will directly conflict with his work on the committee, which will focus mostly on paying for infrastructure.

Stabins, who recommended Barnette for the committee, said this did not mean he was backing down from the strong growth management platform that helped him win election to the commission last year. Such advisory groups should represent a mix of interests, he said, and his five candidates include staunch environmentalists.

"I don't think my nominees will necessarily sit together at these meetings," Stabins said.

--Dan DeWitt can be reached at dewitt@sptimes.com or 352 754-6116.

[Last modified December 20, 2005, 01:50:22]