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The future of Ruskin turns on Saturday

One issue to be aired at a public hearing with legislators is a bill allowing Ruskin residents to vote on incorporation.

By LETITIA STEIN
Published January 6, 2006

RUSKIN - The first step to becoming a city may prove the hardest.

On Saturday, residents must persuade skeptical state lawmakers from across Hillsborough that they should be able to form a thriving city in Ruskin.

Hillsborough legislators will vote on a local bill that would allow Ruskin residents to vote on whether they want to create their own city.

It could be a tough sell. Politicians aren't convinced that Ruskin needs a city.

"Should separate areas of Hillsborough County secede to become their own city, like New Tampa or Carrollwood?" said Rep. Ed Homan, R-Tampa, chairman of Hillsborough's lawmakers. "I'm thinking not really."

"I'd have to be shown some reasons why I'd be for it," he added.

Lawmakers are urging caution in creating a new government.

"There are a number of far-reaching implications to incorporation, not the least of which is the impact on Hillsborough County, should the city of Ruskin fail," said state Senate President Tom Lee, a Brandon Republican.

Lee, who represents Ruskin, said he hasn't made up his mind. He also hasn't forgotten the debate that divided leaders in the Brandon community when they explored creating a city two decades ago. Lawmakers rejected that proposal, and Brandonites never voted on the issue.

Now Ruskin seeks to become Hillsborough's first new city in 80 years since Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace formed.

Not surprisingly, county government opposes a city in Ruskin, citing concerns about finances. Ruskin's plans call for "government lite," where the new city would contract with the county for services. Hillsborough could refuse to provide services to Ruskin indefinitely, or charge a premium, noted Eric Johnson, the county's budget director.

Last month, the County Commission voted to oppose the idea. Only Commissioner Kathy Castor, who represents Ruskin, voted against the opposition. East Hillsborough Commissioner Ronda Storms missed the vote.

Despite the long odds, Ruskin supporters aren't backing down.

Almost 30 miles from downtown Tampa, Ruskin residents long have felt ignored in the unincorporated county. In recent years, they have clashed repeatedly with county officials over the approval of new developments in their waterfront community.

Plus, they say Ruskin faces problems that set it apart from other Hillsborough communities. With a city, Ruskin residents could have greater power to control the issues arising in their back yards.

Before Saturday's public hearing, residents are trying to explain their position to lawmakers. Politicians aren't responding with promises.

"It's sort of like the rubbing of the chin and "Are you really interested?' " said Wade Clark, chairman of the Ruskin Incorporation Committee.

Ruskin's representative, Sarasota Republican Ron Reagan, has sponsored the bill to allow a city in Ruskin. Hillsborough's 16 lawmakers get to decide whether to take the proposal to Tallahassee, where it must pass the House and Senate. Only then would local residents get to vote.

"I am willing to listen. But they are going to have to come prepared," said Sen. Victor Crist, a Republican from Temple Terrace, who wanted to know more about the costs. "I like the idea of local communities taking on their own personality and determining their own direction."

Crist grew up in Treasure Island, a small city in Pinellas County. Although the smallest county in Florida in land size, Pinellas features 24 cities. Early pioneers relished independence - and detested long travels for government services, noted Michael Sanders, a Clearwater historian. The chief example: In 1912, Pinellas seceded from Hillsborough to form its own county on Tampa Bay.

Like other local lawmakers, Crist knows well the pros and cons of incorporating. He represents New Tampa, where residents have made noises about wanting their own city.

So have neighbors in Lutz, where Republican Rep. Kevin Ambler lives. Ambler said his constituents have found that strong civic associations made their voices heard. Today, his communities aren't talking about forming separates cities.

"I'm going into it as a neutral with a healthy skepticism," said Ambler, of the Ruskin proposal. "These are very weighty decisions to make."

Times staff writer Letitia Stein can be reached at 661-2443 or lstein@sptimes.com

On Saturday, Hillsborough lawmakers will hold a public hearing on several local bills, including Ruskin's incorporation proposal. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Administrative Conference Room at Hillsborough Community College, 10414 E Columbus Drive in Tampa.

[Last modified January 5, 2006, 08:51:07]