 Happy Halloween! Welcome to my election blog.
It is so rare for me to venture outside my Citrus County sandbox, but I will today offer up some thoughts on the big race. I do so reluctantly. I mean…haven’t we said all that needs to be said? What else is there?  We have a hard and fast rule here at Just Wright Citrus, one to which we always adhere.
It’s this: Anytime there are two County Commission meetings the same day, that’s our blog subject. It’s rare, like a harvest moon. Let’s get to it:  Emptying my brain this week of all election-related activity because after next week, no one is going to care:
— Voter turnout so far is at 45%. About half of all registered Democrats and nearly half of all registered Republicans voted early or by mail. Elections Supervisor Maureen “Mo” Baird is hoping for an 80% turnout, which would be pretty cool. Though I wonder about the other 20%. What registered Citrus Countian is sitting out this election, and why?  It’s a double treat Tuesday as Citrus County commissioners have two meetings on the same day.
The 9 a.m. meeting is a makeup from two weeks ago when preparations for Hurricane Milton canceled the board’s business. The second meeting at 1 p.m. is the regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Morning-to-night County Commission Tuesdays are not unusual, though this specific setup is. I don’t recall it ever occurring like this.  This is my favorite photo of Sandra “Sam” Himmel.
We were in her office one day talking about retirement. I was trying to talk her into one more term as superintendent of schools. It was a friendly chat, no different than the dozens of other friendly chats we’ve had over the decades. I noticed something on her desk. It was a gag gift (I think) and sums up Sam’s approach to life. She’s actually a kid at heart.  We had one goal this election season:
Cover all the Citrus County races best as possible with insight and observation. Close, but not quite. Other than writing about Library Guy’s antics, I completely ignored Crystal River and Inverness City Council races.  Happy Wednesday!
Strapped in? Here we go. The sun rose on a good Tuesday last week for Commissioner Diana Finegan. She had one important stop that morning. The Lakes Region Library, which had undergone renovations the past few months, was having a grand reopening. Commissioners, other public officials, and library friends were all invited.  And then there’s these guys.
John “Library Guy” Labriola. Paul “Library Guy Wannabe” Grogan. Labriola is seeking a seat on the Inverness City Council. Grogan is hoping for County Commission District 5. Both are trying to unseat incumbents.  Good grief, I just looked at the calendar.
The election is two weeks from Tuesday. Guess I better start writing about election stuff. Early voting starts Monday and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2. Already, 12% of the county’s 119,606 registered voters have cast ballots by mail.  Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see. My heart aches today for Albert John. That’s him in today’s photo. His picture also appeared on the front page of Thursday’s Chronicle, as reporter Mike Bates told the sad tale of Brentwood Retirement Community being shuttered, the staff let go, and feeble residents shoved to the street. |
AuthorMike Wright has written about Citrus County government and politics for 37 years. 
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