HNS REPORTS---THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010
JARDIN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON AFTER JURY RECOMMENDATION
The jury that convicted Robert Jardin for first degree murder returned Wednesday and recommended a sentence of life in prison without parole.
Judge Jack Springstead chose not to wait or hold another hearing, saying he agreed with the jury decision and sentencing Jardin accordingly.
The panel had returned Wednesday morning to hear testimony and render the advisory sentence, based on evidence of "aggravating" and "mitigating" factors from penalty phase witnesses.
Two of the grandchildren of victims Patrick and Evelyn DePalma, Sonsee Sanders and Kyle DePalma read victim impact statements over what the loss of their grandparents meant to them and their families.
Prosecutor Pete Magrino also called Dr. Kyle Shaw from the medical examiner's office, who described the pain suffered by the victims when they were each stabbed multiple times.
Jardin's mother, Janice Link, and an aunt both testified about abuse and lack of parental caring and affection when Jardin was a child.
And a clinical psychologist, Dr. Peter Bursten, said he found a history of hyper-activity, substance dependence and "anti-social personality disorder" in his evaluation of Jardin and interviews with family members. Bursten also said Jardin's age suggested that he would adjust to life in prison without risk of anti-social behavior.
In his closing argument, Magrino again made use of a portrait of the victims as he asked the jury to find enough aggravating factors to sentence "this defendant" to the death penalty.
Assistant Public Defender Devon Sharkey countered with the evidence of Jardin's upbringing as a mitigating factor, but he also said the jury should consider the lack of any direct evidence that the defendant took part in the killings of the DePalmas.
Add Comment
DIESEL SPILL FOULS HERNANDO BEACH CANALS.
The oily odor wafting over Hernando Beach this week is coming from what's left of hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel that spewed from a sunken shrimp boat. Coast Guard Auxiliary Commander Paul Pellitier told the Hernando County Port Authority Wednesday night that only quick action by the Coast Guard and county waterways staff saved more of the beach canals from pollution when the vessel sank on Saturday. He said the fuel was heaviest in the Tarpon and Grouper Canals at the north end of the Hernando Beach community. First responders boomed the area to contain the spilled fuel, which also got into the mouth of Minnow Creek near the channel entrance.
Pellitier said he expects heavy fines from state regulators and the Coast Guard for violations, as well as a bill from reimbursement for the county time spent on booming and clean-up. He said the vessel's owner first claimed there was only a small amount of fuel in the tanks but later admitted they had just been filled when the boat sank.
Add Comment
NEW RECYCLING OPERATOR MAKING MORE TRIPS WITH RECYCLE BINS
Although the new private operator of Hernando County's recycling center is making more than twice as many truck trips with recycle bins as expected, officials say there will still be big savings over the county running the program itself. Privatizing the recycling center led to layoffs for almost a dozen workers, only a few of whom got jobs with SP Recycling, the Atlanta-based operator. But SP bid on the recycling takeover based in part on an estimated 1000 annual "pulls," or truck trips with the contents of recycling bins placed in strategic locations throughout the county. According to a memo from Utilities Director Joe Stapf to Administrator David Hamilton, at the current pace, SP will have 2200 pulls in its first year. That excess potentially means more cost to the county under its contract with SP. But Stapf says even at the higher rate, the county would be out only about $44,000, compared with the previous year's loss of almost $800,000 in the last year of county operation.
Stapf also noted in the memo that the total annual shipments of recyclables is on a 4800 ton pace, which would mark the second year in a row for a drop in tonnage. He notes the trend "in the wrong direction" bears watching. He said county officials should discuss strategies to increase the recycling rate, pending the outcome of a November referendum, which could spread the current limited recycling program in Spring Hill throughout the county.
Add Comment
COME ON IN, THE WATER'S FINE
Just in time for Labor Day weekend, officials are saying it's okay to swim again at Hernando County's only Gulf beach at Pine Island. According to a media release Thursday, bacteriological test results received by the Hernando County Health Department indicate the water quality at Pine Island Beach is now in the good range. Officials said the swimming advisory issued on August 26 has been rescinded.
SCHOOL BOARD READY TO DISCUSS NEW SCHOOL SITES
Despite the downturn in the economy and surplus housing, school planning manager Amber Wheeler says its time to plan ahead for new schools. In a memo for next week's school board workshop, Wheeler says long-range planning has increased in importance with the level of service requirements of school concurrency legislation. She says the school district is responsible for implementing a five-year work plan to support state growth projections, And even though a new K-8 is set to open next year plus classroom additions at two other schools, Wheeler says "elementary school capacity district wide is still needed in the long range planning period" and the school board "must look at potential growth areas" in creating a plan for future needs.
Wheeler's memo puts out for board discussion three possibilities. She's asking for consideration of a property near the Lake Hideaway development north of Weeki Wachee, giving staff direction on actively pursuing school sites in other areas, and establishment of an informal school siting committee. She will make a presentation to the board at Tuesday's workshop.
Add Comment
SHERIFF'S ENFORCEMENT OF BOAT SPEEDS LAUDED
Hernando Beach Property Owners' Association president Valerie Shelter was as pleased Wednesday night as she was unhappy last month. After telling Port Authority members that excessive boat speeds threatened to erode her canal bank and drop her pool into the water, authority members wrote to the Sheriff's Office to seek stricter speed enforcement. Wednesday night, Marine Deputy Roger Butts said he was back to full staff on the Marine Unit and had been writing tickets for speeding watercraft in the canals at Hernando Beach. And from the Port Authority audience, Shelter said, "We appreciate it, it's a big improvement and we definitely noticed it."
Butts said the marine deputies plan to sit down soon with shrimpers and other commercial captains soon to explain the "zero tolerance" policies for excessive speed in the canals. He said deputies will continue random speed enforcement operations in the canals, as well as occasional checks at the boat ramp for intoxicated operators who have been piloting watercraft.
Add Comment
PORT AUTHORITY, BEACH RESIDENTS ASK FEE QUESTIONS
With the beginning of parking fees at boat ramps and coastal parks less than a month away, waterways manager Pat Fagan was peppered with questions from Port Authority members and coastal residents Wednesday night. County commissioners have approved $60,000 for the purchase of three machines for Pine Island and Rogers Park which will require payment of parking fees. Additional "honor system" boxes will go in at the Bayport and Hernando Beach boat ramps.
Authority member Wayne Dukes cited recent vandalism problems at coastal parks and asked Fagan how the machines would stand up to similar issues. Fagan said the 300-pound machines were going to be installed in a way to deter vandalism and that his staff were going to be trained for fixing and maintaining the machines as needed, as well as getting certified to issue tickets for non-payment. Planned fines would start at $25 for a first offense, escalating to $35 for a second offense and $100 for a third time violator. He also said staff would remove the machines in advance of any storms.
Fagan admitted that the initial phase of parking fee collection would likely involve "trial and error," noting the county commissioners' decision to install the machines to save money on park staffing. He also said he would follow whatever the law requires when asked about a state statute that exempts disabled veterans from many parks fees.
Add Comment
NEW LANDFILL CELL OPENS ON TIME, UNDER BUDGET
County officials held an open house at the Northwest Solid Waste Facility Thursday to mark the opening of a new landfill cell, designated No. 3.
Solid Waste manager Scott Harper noted proudly as he stood in front of the 30-plus acres of four holes in the ground that the project came in on time and under budget. In fact, concerns last year that some garbage would have to be trucked out of the county turned out not to be the case, though the life of the still-active old cell was extended by having commercial solid waste hauled elsewhere. Harper said residential garbage will continue going into the old cell until a final technical approval from state regulators, which is expected in a couple of weeks. Harper says he's looking forward to resuming the revenue from the commercial waste soon.
After the formal opening, solid waste staff and the new private company running the recycling center, SP Recycling, hosted an open house in the center, with tours of the facility. Several dozen visitors had stopped by as of midday.
Meanwhile, SP workers went about their regular tasks in the background.
Add Comment
FEW SPOTS REMAIN FOR CHAMBER ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING
Only a limited number of spots remain for the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce a course in “Assertiveness Training.” The course is offered to its members and the general public at large. The course consists of five weekly sessions of two hours each on Mondays, September 13, 20, 27 and October 4 and 11 from 5:30–7:30 PM in the Chamber of Commerce Training Room at 15588 Aviation Loop Drive, Brooksville Florida 34604.
Due to the interactive nature of the program, seating is limited for this particular class, to be be conducted by Vince Vanni, who has provided a wide range of training programs to countless business professionals and public officials. Vanni will combine his 35 years in sales, marketing and communications to help participants develop a clearer understanding of the assertive communication style.
Topics to be covered include:
* The comparison of assertive and aggressive behavior styles, with hands on situation analysis.
* The causes of non-assertive, assertive and aggressive behaviors.
* Recognizing and stating your needs and limits.
* “When to walk away.”
* Taking criticism, including how to handle the negative critic.
* Assertive negotiation skills.
A certificate of completion is awarded to those who attend 80% of the course (four of the five classes). The fee is only $60 for Chamber members and $120 for non-members. Call the Chamber office at 352-796-0697 to register.
Add Comment
Comments