 Sometimes I just need to see my kid.
Wednesday was one of those days. Nothing particular in either of our lives. Maybe this is common with parents of grown children, but every so often I get a yearning to spend a few hours with my daughter, Erin.  Notes from Tuesday’s first meeting of the county commission that we will recall 20 years from now as the group that got it all started:
— This new board fired a shot across the bow of development-as-usual by defeating what seemed like a standard zoning change.  If last Tuesday was a big day for the new four-woman, one-man county commission, this Tuesday is even bigger.
Now the work starts. The campaign agony, excitement with winning, pageantry of taking the oath, pleasantries with that first organizational meeting, are behind us.  Let’s start off this work week talking about government workers.
Specifically, those employed by the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners. Their hearts are mixed with emotion as they return to work after the Thanksgiving weekend. One of sorrow with the devastating news Friday of Randy Oliver’s death. And one of anticipation as Oliver’s successor, Steve Howard, starts his work as county administrator.  Heard it was a bit chilly around here last weekend.
I wouldn’t know, as wife Deb and I were in Detroit for the wedding of my goddaughter niece, and to experience Michigan the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Strange noises emitted Tuesday from county commission chambers.
Laughter. Not at commissioners but with them. And applause. Try that in the past and you’d be scolded like a third-grader.  I was raised in a household of strong women.
Not lumberjack strong, but strong character. Opinionated, take-charge, no-time-like-the-moment type women. Career-oriented but also loving wives and mothers. Women who make stuff happen.  Spoke with Commissioner Ruthie Davis Schlabach the other night.
Or should I say, Chairwoman Ruthie Davis Schlabach? The formality comes Tuesday when, barring the weirdest of weird, commissioners choose Schlabach to handle the gavel for the next 12 months.  Note: Just Wright Citrus is on vacation, but we thought the timing was right to revisit an oldie but goodie: Understanding Citrus County road names and numbers, and when to use the number and when to use the name.
We have newcomers and visitors to our beautiful community who are confused with the street-naming lingo. Certainly understandable as there really is no logic to it at all. Maybe this little guide can help.  Note: Just Wright Citrus is on vacation. Today we look back a year ago when Citrus County commissioners ended a lengthy process by saying no to universal garbage collection/disposal.
As a new county commission is seated Tuesday, it’s good to remember that at one time this was a very big campaign issue that just fizzled because it never had widespread public support. Today it’s just an afterthought. |
AuthorMike Wright has written about Citrus County government and politics for 35 years. Archives
March 2023
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