Bison sightings make the week

Starin’ at the laptop screen and it’s starin’ back…

— Lord knows I enjoy writing about Citrus County government and politics but after a week like this one, I need to back down for a few days.

For me, that means an aimless drive.

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During certain moods, it’s not out of the realm of reality to drive an hour out of my way to avoid S.R. 44, especially in Inverness. That’s what I did Thursday.

I hadn’t been down C.R. 581 recently. Once south of Arbor Street, the road turns quickly from urban to rural, with state forest on one side and a smattering of homes on the other. By the time I get to Heatherwood, I’ve forgotten the grind of our busy roadways and settle into calm.

Then it’s a left onto Stage Coach Trail, aptly named because that’s exactly what it was back in the day. Another few miles of farms and fields, thick forest and trails. 

I took another left at U.S. 41 and pondered at the red light in Floral City what this traffic growth is doing to our small communities. Filed that one away as the light turned green.

I usually hang a right at Orange Avenue, and then a left on Old Floral City Road — another classic drive. For some reason I stayed on 41 into Inverness, then right at S.R. 44 out to Gospel Island Road, which winds back into the downtown area.

As much as I enjoy these drives, it’s clear our secondary roads need repaving. The county has a schedule for that, resurfacing a few roads each year. It’s a subject for another day, but the conversation we should have is whether that schedule is the best we can do.

— I was saddened Wednesday by the passing of Ron Schultz, a former Citrus County property appraiser and state legislator.

Ron was one of those politicians who truly enjoyed public life. He served with a passion for his job and the citizens of Citrus County. He was a regular guy.

As a reporter, I found him fascinating. Ron ALWAYS had a story for me if I needed one. The county commission met across the hall from the property appraiser’s office. If the commission meeting lacked interest, I’d wander over to see what Ron was up to.

He also fought our battles. Ron Schultz was known statewide for taking on the big guns — power utilities, billboard companies, developers. Ron believed If the homeowner was assessed to pay taxes, then corporations should be assessed their share as well. 

Ron and his wife, Diann, lived on the Homosassa River and were part of the Old Homosassa community. I have memories of spending time with the Schultz’s on their pontoon boat, enjoying the river’s tranquility (this was pre-yahoo days), fascinated with Ron’s stories about his adventures.

Ron left the property appraiser’s office when he was elected to the State House. He lost his last race running for re-election against Jimmie T. Smith.

Citrus County is blessed to have had Ron Schultz in our midst.

— And then there’s the bison.

Heading home from church last Sunday I noticed cars pulled off the side of Turkey Oak Drive, folks out with their cell phone cameras. I did the same and saw cattle and bison roaming just inside the AAA Roofing fence.

I’d like to tell you the bison story but the truth is I don’t know it. I called AAA Roofing, on whose wooded property the buffalo* roam, and was told the owner simply likes to keep them. 

I’m kind of glad I don’t know the whole story of why a local businessman decided to have a batch of bison in Crystal River. Some things we should just enjoy and appreciate.

This month marks my 36th year in Citrus County. Bison in Crystal River and government news weeks like this one remind me there’s still so much to see and experience every day. I’m grateful Just Wright Citrus provides me that opportunity.

Have a beautiful weekend friends and keep alert. Never know what’s out there.

*I know they’re not buffalo. But “bison roam” didn’t work. Hey, it's late...

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