We live in a great county in a great state. I know this because I have lived here for over 25 years and my wife has lived here for over 40 years. I met my wife and opened my physical therapy practice in Spring Hill. Over the years we have grown both our practice and our family here.
Our children have grown up and now our grandchildren live here. We have made lifelong friends. My connection and love for this county runs deep. It has given me so much to be grateful for. Like most of you, I was drawn to Hernando County because of its small-town atmosphere, green spaces, hills and coastline. I always thought the Nature Coast was Florida’s best-kept secret. Unfortunately, the secret is out.
Over the past few decades, we have watched the slow migration of people north from Hillsborough and Pinellas, as well as the ubiquitous migration from northern states. In addition, the post-Covid exodus of people fleeing lockdowns, high taxes, and burdensome regulations has caused Florida’s population, including that of Hernando County, to explode. Our county is experiencing some major growing pains. Like it or not, recent estimates suggest Hernando County will add another 50,000 residents by 2050. We can’t stop growth, but we can mitigate the challenges of growth by implementing smart growth strategies. Over 40% of Hernando County is owned by state and federal agencies and is protected from residential development in perpetuity. In the areas zoned for residential development, I personally voted for larger buffers, larger lots, more parking, and maintaining more natural vegetation because I’ve seen the damage growth has done to our neighbors to the south and east. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want Spring Hill or Brooksville to become Tampa, Miami, New York City, or even Wesley Chapel. I didn’t move here to live in a concrete jungle where people live crowded together. Growth is a problem every community in the state is facing right now. Our challenge in Hernando County is to keep it affordable while still maintaining a hometown feel.
I am up to the challenge.
I humbly ask for your support and please cast your vote next Tuesday, August 20. Together we can work for a better Hernando.
-John Allocco
Paid for by John Allocco, Republican, for Hernando County Commissioner District 3.
