![]() Holly Davis is about the most un-commissioner-like commissioner I have ever known. What you see is pretty much what you get: A straight-talking, well-versed commissioner who doesn’t shy from telling citizens what’s on her heart, whether they want to accept it or not. When it’s Davis’ turn in the commission email cycle, as it is this week, I can add an hour onto the review time because of her numerous well-thought replies to citizens.
Last week’s emails received Tuesday dealt mainly with the Meadowcrest vote and the sheriff’s budget, with a few smatterings of library display comments. The county commission dealt with all three in one day; Davis was on the winning side in a pair of 3-2 votes on Meadowcrest and library displays. Not surprising, folks who didn’t like those votes let Davis know about it. “What the heck are you doing? Don’t you understand you were elected to represent the residents of our community? That means you are supposed to act on our behalf to do OUR will NOT YOURS.” (Sidenote: Candidates, if elected you can expect these love letters on a regular basis, no matter how popular you think you are.) The email then went on to detail Davis’ lack of achievement in any real sense — taxes, roads, zoning. It ended with this pleasantry: “In my assessment of your performance you have been a HUGE disappointment as a county commissioner. I have not talked to anyone who feels differently. I am sure your current term is your last in Citrus County. What a disappointment.” Davis responded to that and other Meadowcrest-related emails in a way I’ve not seen. She wrote a letter, basically a position paper, explaining exactly how she reached conclusions on the apartment issue, and sent it out to at least 40 people. It is headed: “An open letter to those whom I have disappointed you with my vote re: Meadowcrest.” You can read the letter here. Davis gets top grades for trying, though the response wasn’t too encouraging. Two other emails caught my attention. One man got the point: “When did the Citrus Republican Party become the party of more spending and higher taxes?” Davis did as well in her response, and referenced residential road repaving: “Since when do Republicans become the party of ‘keep reducing taxes at all costs’ vs prudent and frugal fiscal management that leads to far less waste?” She added: “My predecessors took out a big loan on your back — they did not take care of our infrastructure maintenance year in and year out. Instead, it has piled up and I, a staunch fiscal conservative, will be blamed by people like you for fixing the issue. I’m cranky as all get-out that it is moving forward at a time when asphalt has DOUBLED in price.” Davis’ message: Time to pay the piper. This email to Davis is my favorite of the week: “I am very disappointed in your votes regarding the LGBTQ library exhibits and the Meadowcrest development project. In my opinion you are not representing the majority or popular vote. I voted for you in the past but can no longer support your agenda.” And Davis’ response is also my favorite: “In re: to LGBTQ, this entire time-wasting firestorm has been driven by one person who is the representative of a recognized hate group. There have been so many outright lies and twisting of facts, it’s just shameful. I’m sorry you are somehow caught up in believing them. “We have an outstanding, fifth-generation Citrus Countian with a masters in library science, and a lifelong conservative, running the library system. “If people are so worried about child safety, they should join me in working on generational poverty. We have 27% childhood poverty in this county. That’s not “a little poor.” That’s roach-infested single-wides. That’s not knowing where dinner is coming from. That’s going to school — when they get there — dirty and in unwashed clothes. Those kids are so at risk… crimes by them or against them…drug addiction, jail, being trafficked, etc. “So much time wasted on a tiny display giving a flicker of hope to gay folks in the county that we don’t despise them.” Writing that to a constituent takes courage and conviction. Whether you agree with her or not, Davis gives her all. Join the discussion on our Facebook page. Comments are closed.
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AuthorMike Wright has written about Citrus County government and politics for 36 years. Archives
February 2025
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