Letters to the Editors

Columnist takes wide swipe at EDC, board

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 16, 2001

Editor: Re: Kingsley sets new standard for discussion, Jan. 11 opinion column by Jeff Webb:

Thank you for notifying me in advance that you intended to eviscerate me in an opinion column. The viciousness of your opinion was disconcerting. I thought your timely call had allowed me to have considerable pertinent input in reference to your complaints. It is with great lament to me that you chose to absolutely ignore, disregard and/or trivialize anything I had to say.

I should have known from our conversation that if I did not mirror your position on the Economic Development Commission, I would risk losing your support in the future. The same fate befell Ray Lossing when I ran for office. The EDC was never an issue debated between Mr. Lossing and myself. We never debated the pros and cons of the EDC. You and Mr. Lossing had an open divergence of views on this matter.

I have approached this issue with an open mind, as you said, "eyes wide open." Your historical, constant, and Shermanesque, scorched-earth attitude toward the EDC and those who, by choice or by assignment, are on it, even those of us viewed as reformers of the EDC, makes it obvious that you have no ability to render an objective or unbiased opinion on the matter.

But as has been said in the past, editorial opinions do not have to be accurate or factual; they are just opinions. Unfortunately for me, and surprisingly from you, your opinion on this matter suffers from just those characteristics.

I sent you a copy of our agenda package for the item you take such offense to my handling of. It was a one-page document, front only. The item for discussion was "Termination of the EDC contract." Other than a copy of the contract, no commissioner other than Commissioner Diane Rowden had any other information relating to this "termination" discussion. I told you that important legal documentation and opinions were not available to all of us. These opinions have since been rendered, all but eliminating the concern. I expressed to you that this contract took hours, weeks, months to enter into and be agreed upon. Is it so absurd to assume we should all have the information before we enter into deliberations to terminate a contract to a vendor? Was it absurd to request time to put this item on the agenda for consideration? You believed it was absurd. You never mentioned that in your column.

Although you trivialized my concerns about a termination discussion of a contract, I viewed it as an item, in all fairness to those concerned, that needed to be put on the agenda with full disclosure and notification to all relevant parties. I believe Commissioner Rowden was of the same inclination. I alluded to you the possible consternation other vendors may develop as a result of an impromptu termination of a contract. You, in the words of columnist Jan Glidewell, "pooh-poohed" that concern. You failed to mention any of the above.

In business and in life, people have disagreements. I think it is safe to say that in your daily life, and your professional life, you have been in meetings and in situations where you have disagreed with the other parties involved. When county commissioners disagree, it is live on television and creates controversy, exacerbated by inflammatory opinions, such as yours. I believe Commissioner Rowden and I will be able to get beyond this. This is not a life-or-death issue. I believe we were elected to represent the same people, the people of Hernando County.

You started out your vilification of me with the statement that I should remove myself from the EDC board of directors, or as chairman of the County Commission. You alleged in our conversations that you believe unethical acts were occurring by members of the EDC board. I took great exception to that statement. I believe the EDC has needed changes. You apparently have been in agreement with the issues finally brought to fruition recently with the complete opening of the EDC public accounts, and sources of income from the private sector being identified and quantified. These are changes I recommended. This was done in an organized, timely manner. You fail to mention that.

My interaction with the EDC has been strictly to serve the citizens of Hernando County and represent the concerns and wishes of the County Commission. When I took into consideration the community leaders on the board of the EDC -- Sen. Ginny Brown Waite; Robert Judson, president of Pasco-Hernando Community College; John Sanders, superintendent of schools; Gus Guadignino; Robert Buckner; right on down to me, your broad stroke of unethical behavior seemed all the more extraordinary.

In my opinion, this is not about me. This is not about Commissioner Rowden. This is about Jeff Webb. You are so hellbent on the destruction of the EDC that those of us in your way will be sacrificed, and those who go along with you will be protected.

It reminds me of a football game I was watching one day. The officiating was terrible. The announcer made the observation that the referee was there to control the game, not to control the outcome of the game. On this issue, I believe you have lost sight of your role.
-- Chris Kingsley, County Commissioner, District 4

Annie Bell Brown brought a light to many lives

Editor: Re: Annie Bell Brown inspired all around her, Jan. 13 Hernando Times:

In this cynical world today, I want to remember a shining light in Hernando County. Her name is Annie Bell Brown ("Jerome's mom," as so many knew her), and what a light she was.

She was so caring about others, but when it came to herself, she was a very private person. She helped deliver many babies in this county, and also toward the end of life she always showed compassion and caring, not only to the patients, but also the family. What a lady!

We became friends through our "sports" days with our sons. She became my son's second mom.

I would not have missed knowing such a lady. Her abiding faith and caring showed through minutes after meeting her for the first time.

There are so many memories I have of her, but I would like to share just one of them.

We were forming a communitywide choir to sing the evening of the annual Jerome Brown Football Camp. I told Annie Bell I was joining it, but that I was calling it the "Salt and Pepper" choir. I was not in rehearsal more than 20 minutes when I realized I was way out of my league. Others knew what they were doing. I did not. She kept encouraging me, even if she knew it was a lost cause. But guess who was in the front row applauding the night of the performance? My own personal cheerleader, Annie Bell. How can you not love a person like that?

Her own personal family will miss her so deeply, but they are not alone. So many of us are so much better off for having known her. Our lives touched hers, and we know we are the winners.
-- Julia Jinkens, Brooksville

Kingsley's handling of EDC issue is not acceptable

Editor: Re: Kingsley sets new standard for discussion, Jan. 11 Opinion column by Jeff Webb:

If you have not read Webb's editorial, it is suggested you do so, especially Commissioners Chris Kingsley and Nancy Robinson. Take heed of the comment vis-a-vis former Commissioner Ray Lossing.

Obviously, Commissioner Kingsley believes it to be acceptable in not following Robert's Rules of Order. It is not acceptable to voters and taxpayers.

As for Commissioner Robinson, she should have known better due to her experience. I, and many voters, support Commissioner Diane Rowden on the issue of the Economic Development Commission. The other commissioners would do well to ensure accountability.

One last point. I agree with Webb that Commissioner Kingsley resign as chairman of the County Commission, or as liaison to the EDC.
-- James Bennett, Brooksville

Those who blow their jobs should not make golden exit

Editor: After reading about the EDC severance package and remembering many ridiculously exorbitant buyouts paid to CEOs who blew it, I would like to make a suggestion.

Replace the severance package agreement with a "tar-and-feather" clause.
-- John Albert, Spring Hill

Beacon Theater needs to work on accommodating patrons

Editor: After reading all the articles on how wonderful the new Beacon Theater in Brooksville is, six members of my family had the opportunity to attend the viewing of Cast Away on Jan. 6. We were all excited to be going to the newest theater in our area, which of course is advertised as the latest, greatest, most comfortable theater.

After spending $34.50 on the tickets and another $25 for snacks, we entered the theater and awaited the movie. We were some of the first people in the theater, and it was obviously warm at that time. A gentleman sitting behind us went to the management to complain about the temperature, and he was told it would be rectified. The movie theater continued to fill until it reached capacity. Before the movie was half over, the theater became extremely warm, to the point of being unhealthy. It was impossible to enjoy the movie because of the heat and lack of circulating air in the theater.

Upon exiting the theater, several other customers spoke and I spoke with the manager. He was rude and had an "I don't care" attitude. He told us that when he was notified of the heat, before the movie even began, he put on the fan. It was quite obvious he never came in to check to see whether air conditioning was needed. He did not even apologize for the uncomfortable conditions of the theater.

Needless to say, my entire family was very disappointed with our adventure to the Beacon Theater. A large family such as mine (there are nine of us) do not get to attend the movies very often and certainly do not expect those conditions, or the lack of caring on the part of management, when something does go wrong.
-- Helen Gennusa, Spring Hill

Give round of applause to those who updated voting machines

Editor: I am a four-year reader of the St. Petersburg Times and a first-time letter writer, so bear with me if you will.

I think all voters in the Spring Hill, Hernando County area should applaud and give a big hand to former Supervisor of Elections Ann Mau and those responsible for acquiring and spending the $410,000 for the new voting machine. It is money well spent, for the present and future.

We moved here in 1996 from New York, where your replacement type was used; so we saw the difference immediately.
-- Edward Campbell, Spring Hill

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