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Ruskin on way to being a city

County lawmakers vote unanimously to ask the Legislature to decide whether to let residents vote on incorporation.

By ALEX LEARY
Published January 8, 2006

BRANDON - It seemed a formidable challenge but residents of Ruskin emerged victorious, if somewhat surprised, Saturday morning in their first bid to transform their community into a city.

Lawmakers from across Hillsborough County voted unanimously to send a bill to the Legislature that would allow Ruskin residents to vote on incorporation.

"Now the heavy lifting begins," Wade Clark, chairman of the Ruskin Incorporation Committee, acknowledged as proponents spilled out of a meeting room at Hillsborough Community College's Brandon campus.

Indeed, some of the lawmakers who approved the measure still have concerns, and Hillsborough County government leaders will oppose the effort, saying Ruskin is well taken care of and provides needed tax revenue to the county.

The bill was the highlight of a daylong meeting of the county legislative delegation, held to determine local issues in preparation for the coming legislative session in Tallahassee.

Supporters were somewhat wary going into the meeting after several key legislators said they were not convinced Ruskin needs to be a city. It would become the first new municipality in Hillsborough in 80 years.

"This is not a secessionist movement," Clark said during the hearing.

Ruskin, he said, has unique features and issues distinct from other parts of the county, and residents want more say in shaping life there. The community of about 8,000 has clashed with county officials in recent years over approval of new developments.

"If we do choose to govern ourselves, there is nothing to be afraid of," said another proponent, Mariella Johns Smith. "What we are doing today is as American as apple pie."

State Senate President Tom Lee, a Valrico Republican who represents Ruskin, was critical of county efforts to fight the move, not because its concerns were altogether invalid, but because a "vague" objection letter was sent two days before the meeting.

"These people have worked really hard and you want to give them an opportunity to make their case. Now the leverage has shifted from the opponents to the proponents," Lee said afterward.

Personally, Lee said he is torn. He appreciates the desire for self rule but questioned how effective that would be, since the incorporation plan calls for contracting many services from the county.

"That is a very, very quickly growing community down there and that poses other issues we need to get into," Lee said. "Like how the growth is going to impact the regional infrastructure and whether or not from a comprehensive planning standpoint we feel good about carving out a city."

Hillsborough public affairs officer Edith Stewart noted that the county had just opened a government center in Ruskin and said commissioners were receptive to needs of the community.

In the end, lawmakers put aside any concerns in favor of a fuller debate in the months to come.

"I want these people to be allowed to commit first-degree democracy," said Rep. Ken Littlefield, R-Wesley Chapel.

The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Ron Reagan, of Bradenton, whose district stretches north to Ruskin. If it passes, a referendum would be held in November.

[Last modified January 8, 2006, 00:43:05]