 Raise your hand if you’ve got the Betz Farm property deal figured out.
I thought so. It’s approximately the same number of hands I see raised when asking a similar question about the animal shelter project.  It’s a warm Jan. 31 so let’s talk about Clark Stillwell.
For over 40 years, Stillwell has represented the interests of developers before the county commission. Oh, he’s had a few other jobs too — Citrus County Hospital Board attorney, Crystal River city attorney (only the old timers would know that one).  Let’s spend a few minutes this Monday discussing our hometown newspaper, the Citrus County Chronicle.
You may have seen that the Chronicle has a new editor, Jim Gouvellis. Former editor Jeff Bryan is now working with Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County.  It’s Friday and my brain is full after a busy week of government stuff.
You know what that means… — Heard a ton of great suggestions from the county commission goal-setting retreat Wednesday, but my favorite was Commissioner Diana Finegan’s idea for Citrus County to put on a pretty face. Finegan suggested monument-type “welcome to Citrus County” signs that are landscaped, and other ideas to spruce up the place.  You’re probably as tired of reading about our county commission as I am writing about it.
Except I’m not tired of it. Not by a longshot. Not if this county commission continues to thrive, which I believe it will.  Most people think a government writer gets thrills out of writing negative stuff.
Some may enjoy it and I’ve had my share over the years, but as a citizen of Citrus County I’d prefer a smart, cohesive government.  Three items for this beautiful county commission Tuesday…
— The special library governing board meets at 10 a.m. in the county commission chambers to pick four people for the library advisory board.  The county commission has its annual goal-setting strategic planning workshop this week and it’s usually about as exciting as it sounds.
Commissioners and the staff get together Wednesday in an informal setting — if you can call the Lecanto Government Building informal — and hash out the year’s priorities.  Many years ago while at the Chronicle I was working on a story and had to speak with our congresswoman.
That was Karen Thurman at the time. As a former Dunnellon mayor and state senator, Karen was known well enough for me to call her at home.  One thing about government writing is we don’t get a whole lot of feel-good stories.
Government reporters deal with statistics and politics and terms like ad valorem. We cover the ribbon cutting of sewer plants. We know more about reapportionment than humans should. |
AuthorMike Wright has written about Citrus County government and politics for 35 years. Archives
March 2023
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