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Schenck mistaken to hide intent to resign

By Times editorial
Published July 23, 2006

Robert Schenck said he decided about three weeks ago that he was going to resign his seat on the Hernando County Commission and that he didn't tell a soul outside his family. His intent, he said, was to continue to work effectively on the commission as long as he could.

That may have been his aim, but he missed the mark.

Even if the voters who put him in office are willing to look past his choice not to finish the four-year term that they elected him to serve, Schenck should have shared his decision to quit with the public as soon as possible.

By choosing to withhold the information until announcing Thursday that his resignation was effective immediately, he placed an additional hardship on his colleagues on the commission, who must wait that much longer for Gov. Jeb Bush to appoint a temporary replacement.

Schenck's departure could prove to be a disruption to the commission's business during a crucial time when spending priorities are being set for the next fiscal year and the budget is being scrutinized for savings. The same is true of numerous land-use issues scheduled to come before the commission.

Until the governor appoints another member - certain to be a Republican - the partisan makeup of the board is even at two Republicans and two Democrats, which could make it difficult for the members to reach consensus. The potential for standoffs that could delay the public's business compels the commissioners to be prepared to find middle ground.

Schenck's eleventh-hour pronouncement may benefit his campaign for state House District 44, but it interferes with the continuity of the commission, even if it is only for three months. During that time, he will learn just how tolerant his ex-constituents are of the way he chose to do it.

[Last modified July 23, 2006, 07:29:56]