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Squabble among Hernando County commissioners leads to chairman vote

County Republican Party chief Jeff Holcomb named chairman.
 
Jeff Holcom
Jeff Holcom
Published Jan. 15, 2019

BROOKSVILLE — Hernando County commissioners elected Jeff Holcomb their new chairman Tuesday, but not without a protest by Wayne Dukes, the one commissioner who voted against it.

Holcomb has never shown a willingness to work with county administrator Len Sossamon, Dukes said. Dukes said the rumor has been that, if Holcomb could do so, he "would fire him today.''

Dukes got no support for his motion to name John Mitten the chairman.

The commission vice-chairman traditionally becomes chairman, but vice-chairman John Allocco nominated Holcomb. Holcomb recently was elected chairman of the Hernando County Republican Executive Committee, taking over from Allocco.

Mitten was named first vice-chairman Tuesday, and Allocco was named second vice-chairman.

There was no further discussion about Holcomb's relationship with Sossamon, although he has given him the lowest scores on his annual evaluations. At Holcomb's suggestion, commissioners recently discussed re-opening Sossamon's contract, even though it doesn't expire for two years.

Sossamon has served as county administrator for seven years and also is the county economic development director. His annual salary and benefits total $295,684.