At least I know it wasn't my fault

When it rains, it pours.

Spent the weekend in bed with the stomach flu from hell. That means my idea for today’s blog is out the window, as is my second idea. Both of those ideas require a mindset I can’t generate at the moment.

You know what that means: Scenic photo of the Withlacoochee River and random thoughts.

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— A stomach bug is no fun, but oddly, it always reminds me that I’m sober. Why? Because I’m not the cause of the ailment.

A 12-step friend once said, “If I never have to wake up feeling like THAT again, it’s all worthwhile.”

I’m one of those drinkers who had hangovers right from the start. Never stopped me — next time I’ll get it right! Except I didn’t.

By the way, for our nondrinkers, the stomach flu very much mimics a decent hangover. In case you’re looking to start up and want some pointers.

— One item on Tuesday’s County Commission agenda is to hire a consultant to redesign the landfill intersection with State Road 44.

My gosh, that’s a mess there. Drive near the landfill on Monday morning or Saturday morning, and you’ll see a line of cars stretched out into the roadway. It’s like the Inverness Dunkin’ drive-thru.

Though, to be fair, the county sort of created this problem. Twice in the last 30 years, commissioners had a chance to approve universal trash collection, and gave into public pressure both times. Universal garbage collection means no long lines at the landfill.

Adding a wrinkle to the issue is the fact the county closed all the neighborhood recycling centers and now operates only the one at the landfill. It has the same hours as the landfill; drivers need to be on the ball.

The biggest problem is self-haul. While it’s much easier and less costly for citizens to take their garbage to the landfill instead of hiring a hauler, it’s WAY more costly for the county. I haven’t looked at the ratio lately so don’t hold me to this, but it’s in the area of 75/25. Meaning, 75% of the business is self-haul, but only 25% of the revenue.

The commission agenda includes tipping fee rate hikes. This is the rate your hauler pays.

The $27/year residential assessment stays intact.

— Seeing plenty of candidate endorsements lately. The Chronicle no longer endorses candidates in races. It recommends. What’s the difference? No idea.

Unless they’ve changed the setup since my days, the process is fairly simple. Candidates provide information to the newspaper and the Editorial Board interviews candidates. Editorial opinions stem from that process.

Newspapers have issued political endorsements forever. I’m neither a fan nor an opponent of them. Frankly, I doubt they make any difference to voters at all. We’ve often joked — half seriously — that voters choose who the newspaper does NOT endorse. 

Candidates cherish that endorsement. The ones who get it make sure voters know right away. The ones who don’t act like it’s no big deal.

— Received a letter seeking support from JJ Grow, Republican for House District 23. I like JJ. He’s one of us Citrus Countians, and should voters choose him in November, I’m sure he’ll do just fine.

But I’m not happy with the letter. It fits right into the GOP playbook, which is to attack the Democrats as your first priority.

Sure enough, right there on the envelope is a picture of JJ with this pithy quote:

“I pledge to take back our country from the radical left and ensure that Florida remains a beacon for conservative values.”

The letter has more of the same.

Look. I know how this political game is played. We’re seeing a lot of it recently. Politicians, especially newbies like JJ, feel the need to puff out their chests, lest voters think them spineless.

But that “take back our country from the radical left” is GOP 101. It has this much meaning: Zero.

We are losing an 8-year House member and bringing in a freshman, whether it’s JJ Grow or Democrat Judith Vowels. This county has real desires from their state government.

We have needs here, JJ. You know what they are. Saving us from lefties is not one of them.

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