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Politics

Judge says commission seat is Rocco's

Early edition: Even though Rose Rocco didn't live in the district when she was elected, a judge ruled she is still eligible to hold the District 2 seat on the Hernando County Commission.

By ASJYLYN LODER
Published December 21, 2006

Rose Rocco was sworn in as the fifth member of the Hernando County Commission today after a judge ruled that she is eligible to take the disputed District 2 seat.

Rocco won the Nov. 7 election by 1,444 votes. But former Commissioner Hannah “Nancy” Robinson disputed the win, saying Rocco wasn’t a qualified candidate because she didn’t live in the district on Election Day. Rocco moved to the district after Nov. 7 but before the results were official. Rocco’s attorneys said that was all the law required.

Circuit Judge John W. Booth agreed. In a potentially precedent-setting ruling, Booth said Rocco could be certified as the winner and claim the seat.

Within an hour of the Thursday morning ruling, Hernando Elections Supervisor Annie Williams had issued Rocco a certificate of election.

“It’s a complete win,” said Ronald G. Meyer, the lead attorney for Rocco. “Needless to say, Rose is delighted.”

Roccco has been waiting for the news since Robinson filed suit Nov. 14, shortly after being feted at her final commission meeting. Rocco was supposed to take office Nov. 21, but Booth temporarily delayed the swearing-in ceremony,  leaving the commission with just four members.

Said Meyer: “I am hoping they don’t appeal. We hope that the will of the electorate will be honored.”

[Last modified December 21, 2006, 13:08:08]