Barek shows how to get it done

It’s Wednesday, so let’s talk a little about County Commission politics.

We had it on full display Tuesday with the Betz Farm conversation, which ended in a 4-1 vote to cancel the sale contract with Bravo Land Group and James Dicks, even as Dicks’ attorney stood there and pretty much promised a lawsuit.

That concludes this portion of the Betz Farm story. What happens next is murky, but I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of James Dicks and Betz Farm.

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Each commissioner played a role Tuesday. Let’s take a look:

— Commissioner Janet Barek, wow, what a performance. Janet did exactly what she promised. She was no-nonsense. Didn’t want to hear a bunch of reasons why it could end up in a lawsuit.

She really schooled her colleagues. I mean…that was impressive. 

I once heard a commissioner say her job is so complex, it takes three or four years just to figure out what’s what. Commissioner Barek took exactly 17 months to secure one of the biggest wins on a board where she’s regularly the lone “no” vote.

Maybe it’s not complicated after all. Citizens want tenacity, leadership, out-of-the-box ideas, and down-to-earth common sense.

Looking for the board kingpin? I think we found her.

— Commissioner Jeff Kinnard was somewhat predictable in voting no. He’s generally seen as the pro-development commissioner, so no shock.

However, he said something that caught my attention. Whether it’s to Dicks or someone else, the board has decided to sell Betz Farm no matter what, so “that ship has sailed.” Um…I don’t think so. Until the board approves a land contract, all it has now is intentions. 

Based on the conversation Tuesday, the only thing that’s “sailed” is the idea of dumping valuable public property.

— Chair Diana Finegan was also somewhat to the point. She believes Dicks missed a deadline and violated the contract, so that’s all there is. 

— Commissioner Holly Davis took a different approach.

It would have shocked not a single person in the room if Holly pushed to cancel the contract and preserve the land for conservation. She’s spent the better part of the last five months telling us how significant land conservation is in our community.

She didn’t do that. Instead, Holly said the Betz Farm property is lousy for conservation purposes and wouldn’t even make a good park.

“It’ll never be ball fields,” she said.

And then came this. Turns out Mr. Dicks owns other property in the county that fits her criteria for conservation. Holly said we could sell Betz Farm and then take that $6 million to buy conservation land elsewhere. Perhaps, land that Mr. Dicks owns.

OK, well, that’s an interesting idea. Far-fetched as heck, but at least we know where Commissioner Davis stands. She’s a hard no against canceling the contract.

(Davis voted yes without explanation.)

— Commissioner Rebecca Bays, wow, that’s just a head-shaking moment.

“I don’t think this will go in our favor. I think it’s a terrible way to do business. We may not like the way he’s doing things in this county, but I think to just unilaterally terminate the contract, I think we’re making a mistake.”

And then: “But I’m going to support it.”

This stuff drives me nuts.

Forget for a minute which side of the debate you’re on. Commissioner Barek is the day’s MVP, but she’d be in the loss column without Bays and Davis, who both said they didn’t want the contract canceled — and then voted to cancel the contract.

Welcome to Citrus County politics. Breathe in, breathe out.

It’s a beautiful Wednesday. Enjoy it, friends.

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