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County Seeks Civility At Meetings

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By MICHAEL D. BATES, Hernando Today

Published: November 28, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - A return to civility.

That was the cry from county commissioners Tuesday after one resident took advantage of the citizen comment portion of the commission meeting to blast Parks and Recreation Director Pat Fagan and one of his staffers.

Paul Brosnan accused Fagan of "double dipping" and shortchanging the public because he serves as school board member and county parks director.

Brosnan also said he witnessed one of Fagan's staffers run over a seagull at Pine Island and criticized county employees for their handling of the matter.
Fagan defended his dual role and assured commissioners and the public that he puts in the requisite number of hours as parks director to make sure residents are getting their money's worth.

If his school board business requires him to be at a meeting, Fagan said he will frequently come in early to make up the time. He also said he keeps a time sheet to account for his schedule.
Fagan has been parks director for Hernando County over 30 years and was elected school board member three years ago.

"I don't know one time I've let the county down in the last 30 years," Fagan said.
Fagan also defended the employee who he said inadvertently ran over a seagull.

Commissioner Rose Rocco said she has noticed an increase in disrespect during meetings in the past several months and wants it to stop.

"We need to look at civility and respect coming back into this room," Rocco said.

That respect is a two-way street, she said. The constituents must be more civil to their elected officials and vice versa.

"Unless this community comes together as a community...we're going to have to change the way we do business," she added.

Commissioner Diane Rowden agreed and said this Christmas season might be the time to bring back civility.

"We need to start a healing process in Hernando County and it seems this might be the season," she said. "We all need to sit back and recognize what we have to be thankful for."

County Commissioner Chris Kingsley called the criticism of Fagan unfair.

"He's been here 36 years (and) he's worked his butt off," Kingsley said. "He's not cheating the taxpayers out of a single dollar."

Kingsley said it is unfortunate that he, as a board member, at times did not speak up sooner when residents' comments got out of hand.

"There are times when citizens get up there and start going off on a county employee and it's not really what those meetings are for," he said. "The meetings are meant to be productive and carry out the business of the county."

As commission chairman, Jeff Stabins said he tries to "air on the side of free speech.

"Unfortunately, free speech goes over the edge," he said.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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