 Ever have one of those days when it’s one thing after another and a bunch of little items are getting done but nothing really major because there are too many distractions this close to the lake and the next thing it’s 5 p.m. and not a single blog topic comes to mind?
Now you feel my pain.  Being upfront here: Halloween has never been my favorite holiday.
You see, I have no imagination when it comes to creativity. I’m very impressed with friends who can whip up a haunted yard with a few elephant ear plants and a kiddie pool. I’m not that person.  Good morning and happy Monday! Let’s talk politics.
I spend half my life trying to figure out what’s going to happen next. As a decades-long local government reporter, my job was to understand county politicians so well I could anticipate their next move.  Boyohboyohboy, I have something to say.
I’ve waited all week to say it. Each day it builds, this something, until I’m ready to just burst. So, time to say it. And this is what I want to say:  Photo courtesy of Crystal River Middle School. It’s Thursday so let’s talk about David Hickey.
The name may be unfamiliar to some. Dave had a successful career in the Citrus County School District, culminating in his election as superintendent of schools in 2000. He was one of my favorite elected people, among the short list of those who served but were not really political at all.  Tuesday means County Commission day, time to ease into my aisle seat in the last row for another afternoon of local government in action.
Except…I’m not in that seat. Home recuperating from surgery means I get to watch the entire County Commission meeting online.  Months of preparation and worry, four hours on the operating table, an odd feeling that the bottom left quarter of my face has quietly left the room, and the adventure of opening my jaw wide enough for a spoonful of pudding — all that won’t stop me from bringing today’s topic.
Betz Farm.  Some final thoughts, but don’t think of them as FINAL THOUGHTS because that doesn’t exactly convey a spirit of encouragement unless you’re encouraging an outcome different than the one I’m encouraging because if that’s the case, these are definitely NOT final thoughts for you, weirdo.
— Been so crazy lately that I nearly forgot Business Appreciation Month in Citrus County.  Lost art: Writing thoughts down on a reporter pad that’s balanced on the right knee, while driving along a narrow two-lane country road.
I, ahem, wouldn’t know anything about that. But if I did, it would have come in handy Tuesday.  Random Tuesday thoughts during a week when my mind’s in a hundred directions:
— Commissioners are getting the crud beat out of them over the property tax increase. It was either 17.8% or 8.3%, depending on which equation you’re using. In reality, those percentages are nothing but talking points. |
AuthorMike Wright has written about Citrus County government and politics for 36 years. 
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