Welcome to a new little edition around here we call Government Geek Wednesday. As you can see from today’s stellar photo, I spent much of Tuesday afternoon perched in my usual locale watching a truly outstanding County Commission meeting. One of those days I sat down to write at 11 a.m. and next thing it’s 8:15 p.m. and I’m just typing the first words. In between came life and a 45-minute conversation with a commissioner, which I always enjoy. That means my blog idea goes out the window because I’m learning the hard way that any original thought past 6 p.m. should come in very small bites. We have a hard, fast rule here at Just Wright Citrus regarding Monday’s blog. I cannot go into the weekend without Monday’s blog already written in my head, so I’m not sitting at the laptop Sunday evening with a blank screen. This was one of the toughest weeks of my life. Even now, the words don’t come easy. Our precious Molly, the cat that walked up Deb’s driveway one day 10 years ago, met her maker a week ago. Three days after promising to improve my attitude about Citrus County government, the folks there have given me reason to snarl. Because when it comes to local government, there is just one thing I won’t mess with: public records. Our Wednesday word for the day: barndominium. Never heard of it? I didn't until perusing Commissioner Diana Finegan’s email batch from last week and seeing roughly 100 form emails from people who want county commissioners to keep their regulatory mitts off "barndominiums." Sheriff Mike Prendergast is running for a third term, as he announced last week. No doubt he’ll be hitting the campaign trail shortly to raise funds and support for the 2024 race.
But has there ever been a Citrus County politician so much in-your-face to voters of the opposing political party? Some self-reflection to start the week. During my Chronicle years, I’d have the occasional phone conversation with someone who doubted the sincerity of my professional ethics. “I don’t trust reporters,” I’ve heard more than once. A Friday story. About five years ago the City of Inverness was preparing plans for the new Depot District, including significant upgrades to Liberty Park and Wallace Brooks Park. Everyone in county government is mad at me, the Chamber of Commerce thinks I’m out in left field, and even loyal readers question my sanity. Perfect! Wednesday’s blog about whether the county should place a traffic signal on C.R. 491 at Horace Allen Street in Lecanto certainly generated lots of conversation. Most from people who thought I couldn’t be more wrong. |
AuthorMike Wright has written about Citrus County government and politics for 36 years. Archives
May 2024
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