Hernando County Resident, Jaz Zydenbos, a decorated Vietnam combat veteran and local Realtor, is a candidate for the Republican Party nomination for Hernando County Commissioner, District 1 for the primary election August 26, 2008.

JAZ says, “It has been a pleasure to live and work in Hernando County for the past several years. But it is now time for our county government to cut spending, become “right sized” and be governed by conservative budget minded leaders with an amended Charter Government."

Here's a video clip of JAZ speaking at a candidate open forum.  It's three minutes long and will give you some idea as to his knowledge, and passion for restoring Hernando County's economy.

"The facts are clear: Over the past four years, our general operating fund has increased over 100 percent, while our population has risen only 10 percent. Something is very wrong with this financial picture. It has literally killed our economy.” "Over $100 million of working capital is missing in Hernando County due to the reckless approval of spending by the majority of incumbent County Commissioners. The Commissioners that are up for election have proven one truth, that they cannot tax our way into prosperity."

“I have had a great life. I have appreciated the support of family, friends and citizens in the private sector for their urging of me to communicate my vision of bringing Hernando County back to thriving economically as it was only four short years ago. I came here to live out the rest of my life as I started with the American Dream.  Somehow this is not the Hernando County I knew.  I want that dream back for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.  Government should be built to follow an economy, not vice versa. Our economy cannot afford or support our present government as we know it.”

“At this time, I am prepared to serve the citizens of Hernando County more effectively in local government as County Commissioner. It is vital that we replace the Republican incumbent, Jeff Stabins, in the upcoming primary election in August of this year.”

“By working together with citizens, business people and veterans, we can and we will restore our quality of life as it was in 2004 by reducing runaway property taxes through a significantly streamlined government. We haven’t any time to waste and we do not have to wait for the state or the country’s economy to improve in order to immediately take on this task. We can begin here and now without sacrificing essential services while improving our citizens’ safety and property values.”

JAZ, short for Jon Albert Zydenbos, came to the area as an investor nearly 25 years ago. His parents owned homes just across the county line in Hudson since 1974. He believes it is important to elect in 2008 County Commissioners who are focused on the long-term issues involving residential and commercial growth, and infrastructure.

“It is vital that we have someone with vision and dedication to address the immediate and future needs of Hernando County without breaking the backs of taxpayers as has happened over the past four years. We must balance the concerns of private landowners in of the county with those of developing subdivisions and in rural areas of this our beautiful part of Florida. I will be accessible to all residents as we develop solutions to these complex issues as we dial back property taxes through cutting needless waste.”

JAZ believes he can provide strong leadership in developing business partnerships with surrounding counties and major Florida cities. High on his list of projects is to develop the Hernando County Airport as a feeder port to the major airlines increasing commerce and beginning a convenient commuter base; Examining present rail lines for commuter transportation to Tampa and Orlando on an accelerated scale than is presently planned; Further property tax reductions to all including additional homestead tax exemptions of ten to twenty percent of their properties assessed values for veterans of peace time military service and of foreign wars; And to support the digital infrastructure needed for the 21st century. JAZ will order a fully integrated Hernando County website a top priority to make it easier for citizens to conduct their county business.

JAZ also said, “In 2009, I believe strongly that our county should accelerate efforts to pave our remaining lime rock roads before repaving perfectly good streets and begin to provide quality water to all our citizens through the planning of future desalinization plants.” According to JAZ, “We do not have a water shortage, only technical shortsightedness.” “One would think that for every nuclear power plant going up along our coast, county governments would lobby for their support and cost of installing a water desalination complex.”

He has been a businessman for forty years, with high-level positions including that of VP of Sales for Gloria Vanderbilt Playwear in NY in the 1980’s. For the past several years JAZ has been a Realtor, now with Tropic Shores Realty in Spring Hill, and also holds a Mortgage Broker license. He is a registered Florida Notary and performs wedding ceremonies as well. He has served on a number of committees as member or spokesperson for the Chamber of Commerce, the Humane Society, Hernando Progress, Hernando Builders Association, Hernando County Classroom Teachers Association and Spring Hill Civic Organization. JAZ is Secretary of the Hernando Beach Club.

Born in Jersey City, NJ, JAZ graduated from Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls NJ, whereupon he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He attended the University of New Hampshire, and the University of Maryland for business and economics during his term of service. In his final year of the military, JAZ volunteered for duty in Vietnam where he was assigned with a combat civil engineering group. Immediately after his honorable discharge he was married and raised four daughters with wife Joanne.

His daughters are; Michelle, Stephanie, Samantha and Jonlyn. He is also proud grandfather of seven grandchildren and pet owner of Klyde, a seven year old Labrador. Currently residing in Weeki Wachee, JAZ attends worship at the Christian Church in the Wildwood and is in the process of relocating to Spring Hill. He is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10209 in Spring Hill, Florida, and supports any and all initiatives regarding Veterans benefits including property tax breaks for those who have served our country in the name of freedom.  You may visit JAZ's website http://jaz2008.com for upcoming events, appearances and to make a campaign contribution.