HNS REPORTS---OCTOBER 16, 2009
LISTEN TO THE CURRENT NEWSCAST...
CLICK > ON THE ICON:
TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED ON COUNTY-UNION PACT
Negotiators for Hernando County and the Teamsters Union local representing rank and file workers signed off on a tentative contract Friday afternoon. The agreement came after County Administrator David Hamilton opened the session saying he wanted to see the six remaining issues wrapped up by the end of the day. Though union negotiator John Sholtes said he wouldn't be boxed in by a deadline, in the end it didn't matter. County negotiators agreed to the union's request to include a legal term of art, "just cause," as the standard of proof for discipline. The union agreed to a letter of agreement providing for no furloughs for Development Department employees, who are already working reduced hours. And the county agreed to grandfather in all current workers from proposed changes in the Paid Time Off program.
County Human Resources chief Cheryl Marsden said, "We were pleased with the level of cooperation demonstrated by all parties involved and we look forward to continuing this relationship in the future."
Sholtes said, "We are very pleased with what we have accomplished. The members' issues concerning job security, fair discipline, seniority rights and stopping favoritism have all been addressed. Of course, it is now in the hands of the employees to decide on whether or not they approve."
Union bargainers hope to have a meeting for workers as early as the end of next week to explain the 44-article tentative contract and then vote on ratification, perhaps as early as October 26. Hamilton committed to put a ratified contract on the County Board agenda for November 10, assuming ratification by agenda deadlines the first week of November.
Members of the two bargaining teams gathered for a group photo at the end of what will apparently be the final negotiating session.
GREAT BROOKSVILLIAN WEEKS HONORED AT FAMILY STORE
A humble Joseph Weeks accepted the annual Great Brooksvillian award Friday morning at the hardware store he and his family have operated in downtown Brooksville for almost 100 years. The 82-year old Weeks was honored by Brooksville Vice-Mayor Lara Bradburn and two other council members, along with a cross-section of long-time Brooksville residents. The store on North Main Streeet evokes images and memories of long ago, before big box home improvement stores dotted the Hernando landscape, with its aisles of tools and accessories, many of which probably can't be found in the bigger stores. When asked to say a few words, Weeks said only that he was glad to be there to accept the award.
The Great Brooksvillian honor is awarded during Founders Week each year. Weeks was chosen by the City Council, which decided against the recommendation of a selection committee to give the award to lawyer Joe Mason. The Founders Week events wrap up Saturday with a walking tour of downtown Brooksville and the Blazing Butts and Brisket event in Tom Varn Park. Details on these and many other Saturday events around Hernando County can be found below the rest of the Friday news.
HERNANDO UNEMPLOYMENT RATE JUMPS IN SEPTEMBER
Hernando County's unemployment rate jumped four-tenths of a percent in September over the figure for August, when the state-measured jobless rate actually went down from the month before. The state Agency for Workforce Innovation announced Friday that the September Hernando unemployment rate was 13.8 percent, compared to the 13.4 rate for August and the 9.3 rate recorded for September 2008. Only five of Florida's 67 counties reported a higher jobless rate in September. Hernando's rate is almost three percent higher than the statewide rate of eleven percent, and the four-tenths percent jump was twice the statewide increase.
BROWN-WAITE, OBAMA ON SAME SIDE FOR SENIOR RELIEF
Brooksville Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite said Friday she looks forward to working with President Obama on one issue they agree on---a $250 one-time payment to seniors in place of the usual COLA for Social Security. Brown-Waite said in a newsletter to constituents that she thinks Congress needs to change the rules for cost of living adjustments, but until that change is made, she says she has introduced legislation to provide the $250 payment to veterans and social security recipients. The payment would be made in 2010. Brown-Waite says her bill takes $13 billion in unused funds from a prior stimulus package and used that for the payment, rather than adding anything more to the deficit. She says she hopes the president will support her bill.
FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES WISH JENNINGS HAPPY RETIREMENT
Dozens of friends and co-workers gathered Friday to say goodbye to Larry Jennings. Friday was Jennings last day as a Hernando County employee after 36 years. He started as an engineering technician in the Planning Department and eventually ended up as a Deputy County Administrator who twice served as interim County Administrator and turned down an invitation to take the full time job two years ago. He and wife Anne were feted by a variety of current and retired county employees as well as a potpourri of current and former county commissioners. One of the former board members, June Ester, assembled a photo montage of faces from Jennings' career.
Jennings has said he will eventually be moving to North Carolina to be close to family and that he plans to spend time bicycling and enjoying the mountain scenery and climate.
SIGN-CLUTTERED ROADWAYS SET FOR RELIEF
County code enforcement officials say they are responding to complaints about sign clutter by ratcheting up enforcement of code violations. Code Enforcement Manager Liana Teague said this week that she is juggling shift assignments for code enforcement officers so so-called "sign sweeps" can be made more often. It's a code violation to post unauthorized signs in road rights-of-way, but code enforcement staff cutbacks over the past year have reduced the number of sweeps. Teague says she is planning to resume regular sign sweeps on a monthly or more frequent basis as needed. She also says that residents as well as code officers can remove signs, but she warns that anyone doing so is acting as an individual. The county has declined proposals for volunteer sign removal groups in the past due to liability issues but told concerned citizens that they could remove illegal right-of-way signs on their own. County staff advised the group that they should avoid any trouble with anyone posting signs and limit their actions to signs between any power poles or fence lines and the pavement of public roads.
FALL TEMPERATURES JUST IN TIME FOR BUSY WEEKEND
A cold front moving through west central Florida Friday was expected to bring more seasonable temperatures and end the unusually warm weather of the last two weeks. The local climate change is just in time for a busy weekend of activities in Hernando County. Here is the weekend schedule, courtesy of the county's Tourist Development office:
Saturday, October 17
5th ANNUAL HERNANDO COUNTY HEALTH FAIR
10:00 am to 2:00 pm Brooksville Elks Lodge, 14494 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, Florida
More Info: (352) 544-5206
http://www.hernandohealth.org/
Saturday, October 17, 2009
ANNUAL ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR
9:00am - 3:00pm THE HEATHER COMMUNITY CENTER, 9100 Nakoma Way (off US 19 / 1.5 miles north of SR 50, Weeki Wachee. Over 25 displays featuring Christmas and Halloween items, handmade soaps, jewelry, and more. Refreshments available for purchase.
352-596-5028
Saturday, October 17, 2009
BLAZIN' BUTTS N' BRISKET BBQ
9:00am - 6:00pm TOM VARN PARK, 306 Darby Lane (off SR-50, west of US 41), Brooksville. Florida BBQ Association-sanctioned competition. Professional and "Backyard" BBQ-ers cooking up their best recipes for you in this State Competition! Prizes awarded in each category. Cost: Free -- except for what you purchase to eat!
352-540-3832
Saturday, October 17, 2009 - Sunday, October 18, 2009
CORN MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH
10:00am - 4:00pm SWEETFIELDS FARM, 17250 Benes Roush Road, Masaryktown. Incredible fun for the entire family! Work your way through the 4-acre corn maze! Enjoy the Hay Playground, picnic area and more! NOTE: NO SANDALS! Sunscreen / hats, water and camera recommended! Admission: Adults - $8.50; Ages 3 to 11- $4.50; Under age 3: Free.
352-279-0977
www.sweetfieldsfarm.com
Saturday, October 17, 2009
COUNTRY N' WESTERN NIGHT
5:00pm HERNANDO BEACH YACHT CLUB, 4163 Shoal Line Blvd, Hernando Beach. Get your posse and giddy up for a night of the Old West complete with rip-roaring music and line dancing. The Club will be 'transformed' into the "Y-Bar Ranch"! Chuck-Wagon Dinner includes pulled-pork,BBQ chicken, slaw, baked beans! "Proper" western attire is welcome! Advance tickets suggested. Tickets - Advance Only (NO tix sold at the door!) Members: $16.00; Guests: $18.00
352-596-1022 or 352-279-0528
www.hbyachtclub.com
Saturday, October 17, 2009
FOUNDERS' WEEK EVENT: HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR
10:00 am Meet at EASY STREET HOME DECOR, 100 No. Brooksville Avenue, Brooksville. Hosted by renowned author/editor/storyteller Jerry Cowling.
352-540-3810
Saturday, October 17, 2009
MARKET ON MAIN STREET
THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN BROOKSVILLE. The monthly Market gets into the swing of the Fall season! Fresh veggies and fruits, plants, herbs, home crafts (soaps, jams, candy, goodies), art, crafts, antiques, flea market, food and more!
352-797-9330 or 352-650-8948
Saturday, October 17, 2009
PASO FINO EXHIBITION
11:30am HERNANDO COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, 6436 Broad Street (US 41), Brooksville. Beautiful Paso Fino Horses demonstrated by local Paso Fino farms. Experience the 'smooth' ride on a Paso Fino for yourself in the "Ride a Paso" pen. Learn about the Spanish heritage and the unique gait and qualities of the Paso Fino Horse. Admission: $5.00 per person; age 12 and under: free.
info@purepasofederation.com
purepasofederation.com
Saturday, October 17, 2009
PSYCHIC READINGS!
1:00 - 5:00pm AND 7:00-9:00pm THE HILL HOUSE, 406 East Liberty Street, Brooksville. Two of the Bay area's best-gifted psychic readers will be on hand the 3rd Saturday of every month. Stop by or call ahead for appointment. $1.00 per minute / minimum: 20 minutes.
352-345-4466
www.Hill-House.us
Sunday, October 18, 2009
HERNANDO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Benefit concert for Springstead High School Orchestral Music program
2 p.m., Springstead Theater, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill
Sunday, October 18, 2009
VIC TOMPKINS & VTO
Doors open: 4:00pm Show begins: 5:00pm V.F.W. Post 10209, 14736 Edward R. Noll Road (off Anderson Snow Road), Spring Hill. Back by popular demand for your music and dancing enjoyment! $10.00 per person. Cash bar and menu available for dinner. Advance reservations suggested.
352-597-5155
CLICK > ON THE ICON:
Download | Duration: 00:05:36
TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED ON COUNTY-UNION PACT
County Human Resources chief Cheryl Marsden said, "We were pleased with the level of cooperation demonstrated by all parties involved and we look forward to continuing this relationship in the future."
Sholtes said, "We are very pleased with what we have accomplished. The members' issues concerning job security, fair discipline, seniority rights and stopping favoritism have all been addressed. Of course, it is now in the hands of the employees to decide on whether or not they approve."
Union bargainers hope to have a meeting for workers as early as the end of next week to explain the 44-article tentative contract and then vote on ratification, perhaps as early as October 26. Hamilton committed to put a ratified contract on the County Board agenda for November 10, assuming ratification by agenda deadlines the first week of November.
GREAT BROOKSVILLIAN WEEKS HONORED AT FAMILY STORE
The Great Brooksvillian honor is awarded during Founders Week each year. Weeks was chosen by the City Council, which decided against the recommendation of a selection committee to give the award to lawyer Joe Mason. The Founders Week events wrap up Saturday with a walking tour of downtown Brooksville and the Blazing Butts and Brisket event in Tom Varn Park. Details on these and many other Saturday events around Hernando County can be found below the rest of the Friday news.
HERNANDO UNEMPLOYMENT RATE JUMPS IN SEPTEMBER
Hernando County's unemployment rate jumped four-tenths of a percent in September over the figure for August, when the state-measured jobless rate actually went down from the month before. The state Agency for Workforce Innovation announced Friday that the September Hernando unemployment rate was 13.8 percent, compared to the 13.4 rate for August and the 9.3 rate recorded for September 2008. Only five of Florida's 67 counties reported a higher jobless rate in September. Hernando's rate is almost three percent higher than the statewide rate of eleven percent, and the four-tenths percent jump was twice the statewide increase.
BROWN-WAITE, OBAMA ON SAME SIDE FOR SENIOR RELIEF
FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES WISH JENNINGS HAPPY RETIREMENT
SIGN-CLUTTERED ROADWAYS SET FOR RELIEF
FALL TEMPERATURES JUST IN TIME FOR BUSY WEEKEND
A cold front moving through west central Florida Friday was expected to bring more seasonable temperatures and end the unusually warm weather of the last two weeks. The local climate change is just in time for a busy weekend of activities in Hernando County. Here is the weekend schedule, courtesy of the county's Tourist Development office:
Saturday, October 17
5th ANNUAL HERNANDO COUNTY HEALTH FAIR
10:00 am to 2:00 pm Brooksville Elks Lodge, 14494 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, Florida
More Info: (352) 544-5206
http://www.hernandohealth.org/
Saturday, October 17, 2009
ANNUAL ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR
9:00am - 3:00pm THE HEATHER COMMUNITY CENTER, 9100 Nakoma Way (off US 19 / 1.5 miles north of SR 50, Weeki Wachee. Over 25 displays featuring Christmas and Halloween items, handmade soaps, jewelry, and more. Refreshments available for purchase.
352-596-5028
Saturday, October 17, 2009
BLAZIN' BUTTS N' BRISKET BBQ
9:00am - 6:00pm TOM VARN PARK, 306 Darby Lane (off SR-50, west of US 41), Brooksville. Florida BBQ Association-sanctioned competition. Professional and "Backyard" BBQ-ers cooking up their best recipes for you in this State Competition! Prizes awarded in each category. Cost: Free -- except for what you purchase to eat!
352-540-3832
Saturday, October 17, 2009 - Sunday, October 18, 2009
CORN MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH
10:00am - 4:00pm SWEETFIELDS FARM, 17250 Benes Roush Road, Masaryktown. Incredible fun for the entire family! Work your way through the 4-acre corn maze! Enjoy the Hay Playground, picnic area and more! NOTE: NO SANDALS! Sunscreen / hats, water and camera recommended! Admission: Adults - $8.50; Ages 3 to 11- $4.50; Under age 3: Free.
352-279-0977
www.sweetfieldsfarm.com
Saturday, October 17, 2009
COUNTRY N' WESTERN NIGHT
5:00pm HERNANDO BEACH YACHT CLUB, 4163 Shoal Line Blvd, Hernando Beach. Get your posse and giddy up for a night of the Old West complete with rip-roaring music and line dancing. The Club will be 'transformed' into the "Y-Bar Ranch"! Chuck-Wagon Dinner includes pulled-pork,BBQ chicken, slaw, baked beans! "Proper" western attire is welcome! Advance tickets suggested. Tickets - Advance Only (NO tix sold at the door!) Members: $16.00; Guests: $18.00
352-596-1022 or 352-279-0528
www.hbyachtclub.com
Saturday, October 17, 2009
FOUNDERS' WEEK EVENT: HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR
10:00 am Meet at EASY STREET HOME DECOR, 100 No. Brooksville Avenue, Brooksville. Hosted by renowned author/editor/storyteller Jerry Cowling.
352-540-3810
Saturday, October 17, 2009
MARKET ON MAIN STREET
THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN BROOKSVILLE. The monthly Market gets into the swing of the Fall season! Fresh veggies and fruits, plants, herbs, home crafts (soaps, jams, candy, goodies), art, crafts, antiques, flea market, food and more!
352-797-9330 or 352-650-8948
Saturday, October 17, 2009
PASO FINO EXHIBITION
11:30am HERNANDO COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, 6436 Broad Street (US 41), Brooksville. Beautiful Paso Fino Horses demonstrated by local Paso Fino farms. Experience the 'smooth' ride on a Paso Fino for yourself in the "Ride a Paso" pen. Learn about the Spanish heritage and the unique gait and qualities of the Paso Fino Horse. Admission: $5.00 per person; age 12 and under: free.
info@purepasofederation.com
purepasofederation.com
Saturday, October 17, 2009
PSYCHIC READINGS!
1:00 - 5:00pm AND 7:00-9:00pm THE HILL HOUSE, 406 East Liberty Street, Brooksville. Two of the Bay area's best-gifted psychic readers will be on hand the 3rd Saturday of every month. Stop by or call ahead for appointment. $1.00 per minute / minimum: 20 minutes.
352-345-4466
www.Hill-House.us
Sunday, October 18, 2009
HERNANDO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Benefit concert for Springstead High School Orchestral Music program
2 p.m., Springstead Theater, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill
Sunday, October 18, 2009
VIC TOMPKINS & VTO
Doors open: 4:00pm Show begins: 5:00pm V.F.W. Post 10209, 14736 Edward R. Noll Road (off Anderson Snow Road), Spring Hill. Back by popular demand for your music and dancing enjoyment! $10.00 per person. Cash bar and menu available for dinner. Advance reservations suggested.
352-597-5155
Having spent several years attending pre-trial hearings at the Courthouse I have heard many accounts how a dispute between adults has been worked through and requests were made to drop the charges; couples just want to get on with their lives. Prosecutors in turn, don't care, they need to add convictions to their scorecards. Keeping their jobs comes first, justice plays no role. Deputies arrest to keep their job, again the scorecard.
Our Constitution has been buried long ago. It is quite evident to those whom have spent time at the Courthouse.
The Sheriff's deputy detective is now experiencing the legal system for himself.
The Sheriff's Department is performing an internal investigation - this deputy is human as are all deputies at the department. Deputies do not walk on water - they are average citizens and employees, no different than any other citizen of the county.
Why is it that his detective is being held to a standard, yet other detectives are not?
Detective Thomas Banks arrested a man with no criminal history based on the word of documented un-credible and un-reliable accusers (sisters of the foster care system whom were adopted by Mr. Scism in November of 2005). He interrogated, using the REID Technique on a "simple male" with no criminal history. Documentation proves Det Banks "theory" wrong. Det Banks POOR judgment led to a conviction. A conviction based on no evidence - documents negate the taped "theory." He never performed old fashioned police work afterwards, which would have put his theory to rest.
Det Banks negligence and behavior is much more serious and should be investigated.
An 11 year old girl has not seen her father because of negligence on the part of det Banks.
Her father will not be a part of her life because of negligence on the part of det Banks.
The situation of det Schwarz is minor compared to that of det Banks.
The REID Technique could have anyone admitting to being Barney, Popeye, or Elmo. Yes, I am Barney and I am purple.
That is why investigative work usually follows interrogations.
Legal documents prove det Banks and his "theory" wrong. Witnesses with knowledge of all in this case stand-by Mr. Scism, yet det Banks did not speak with them. An innocent man that has stated his innocence from the start was put through the REID Technique form of interrogation, why? The accusers have a documented delinquent history. A pattern of behavior exists on their part. Det Banks apparent laziness and negligence is permitted; no internal investigation.
A lot of nerve at the department.
Det Banks negligence was also ignored by prosecutor Lisa Herndon. She had legal documents - but, as she stated she based her case soley on the word of the accusers. She ignored all witnesses and legal documents.
Reply to this