 No big plans for the day? Mosey over to Inverness at 1 p.m. for the Citrus County Commission meeting. It’s a big day for this new board. A few agenda items may test their ability to debate issues of significance and keep cool heads. Most commissioners want to bring harmony and peace to a board. I can think of very few troublemakers over the years.
Sometimes, though, these things get a little heated. Nothing wrong with that. We want commissioners passionate about the stuff we’re passionate about. On some items, commissioners can get away with being vague; it’s the ones that require specificity where the goal is harmonious debate. So, two county commission things on my mind:
Now, before anyone goes howling about commissioners and special favors, this isn’t one of those deals. Finegan had hoped to have it settled before the election but it didn’t work out that way. Obviously, she won’t be in on the vote. People ask the county to vacate the public right of way occasionally, usually for similar reasons: They want a portion of the roadway, which no one uses, for their own use. Yes, this is normal. Yes, commissioners often agree to it. The thinking is if the road doesn't have a public purpose and never will, and someone else can use it, why not give it to them and get it on the tax roll? I drove over there Monday and came away with three thoughts: — The Finegans have a nice piece of property. Actually, it’s two lots and both are adjacent to the road. Close that off with a gate? Sweet. —HOWEVER… I absolutely see their situation. This is a public road for sure but there is no reason for anyone to be driving to the very end unless they live there or are visiting. I mean…none. Zero. Zilch. There is a “dead end” sign on the road just off Fish Bowl, but who pays attention to those things? Not folks out for a nice neighborhood drive who suddenly find themselves trying to turn around at a narrow end (no cul-de-sac), smacking into the Finegans’ landscape wall in the process. Now, it’s true closing the end of the road with a gate only moves that same problem a few houses down the street, and we’ll see if the Finegan side has an answer to that. Otherwise, though, the request has merit. — Someone asked a few weeks ago if this could set a precedent and the staff’s answer was…maybe. The question should have no bearing on whether to approve or deny the request. But it’s something the county should be thinking about. Every element of growth, development, dirt moving — county commissioners are diligent in not getting caught off guard. (A fourth thought: Never know how the political angle might bear out. Finegan was critical of commissioners during her election campaign. It’s usually not a good strategy because if you win, you’re sitting with these people. Sometimes this comes back to bite and sometimes it doesn’t.)
That said, something tells me this one won’t go easy. I could be wrong. It happens a lot. I’m very high on this board. I’m impressed with all five and how they’ve been able to work through things with insight and detail. Schlabach is feeling at ease as chairman and the meetings go by smoothly and efficiently. No board of county commissioners has faced the challenges this board faces. It’s going to take a little time to get a grip on it all, but it comes one meeting at a time. Get to the business at hand, do so with passion and truth during debate, and watch as the citizens fall behind. 1 p.m. Courthouse. Join the discussion on our Facebook page. Comments are closed.
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AuthorMike Wright has written about Citrus County government and politics for 36 years. 
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September 2023
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