In search of builders at all levels

A recent Cattle Dog chat rocked my world.

It occurred around New Year’s with a longtime friend. I’ve known this man for over 30 years in professional and personal circles. He’s a leader in our community; he follows and encourages the Just Wright Citrus mission.

He came armed with a specific message: It’s time for personal responsibility.

---

Each day, we’re either building up the community or tearing it down. What’s my approach?

Citrus Countians fall generally into one of three political bins: I care this way; I care that way; I care very little.

Social media and Sound Off are filled with the first two categories. People who care enough to express opinions in a forceful manner. These folks tend to have some type of involvement — homeowners association, community group, something like that. Maybe they volunteer in government-related groups, such as Friends of the Library.

They’re somewhat politically active. They may not run for office or even participate in someone’s campaign, but they’re paying attention. 

The third group are folks who just go about their daily lives with little care of what’s happening outside their Hula-hoop. They vote in the same percentages as the other groups, but their political choices are more traditional and less personal.

While I admire that third group, those numbers are dwindling. It’s getting more difficult to just stay on the sidelines while the world is in such flux.

So…the Cattle Dog chat.

I had invited this friend to a chat because I sincerely sought his advice. If I ask for your advice, that means I trust not only your words, but that you understand the context of what I’m asking. You get me. Very few people are in that category.

It’s no secret that I struggled with the tone of the blog conversation in the latter part of 2025. It seemed we had strayed into an area where nothing went right. A lot of noise but very little else.

After Deb’s passing on Oct. 24, I really started digging deep into what it is I’m hoping to accomplish here.

My friend nailed it.

He told a story about a dispute between a civic leader and a local community-minded business that's turned personal. Nothing wrong with the leader, nothing wrong with the business. But there’s a specific gripe at play. The issues no longer matter. Success is now defined by who is "right." A result where one wins and one loses.

My friend said we have folks in Citrus County who awake each day hoping to lift their neighbors. And we have those who awake hoping to stifle their neighbors. Both groups are battling for supremacy, but only those in the first group know why.

It was right around this time in the frozen hot chocolate that my eyes opened.

Builders. Tear-downers. Which am I today? Sure, has me thinking.

I’ve been writing this blog for four years and can point to many community successes. Build up, right? I also know when I’m snarky, unfair, personal, and take easy shots to make a point. And I can do that under the self-righteous guise of being a community builder. Gotta break a few eggs to make the perfect omelet, right?

Wrong!

This year, JWC is going to dissect issues, not people. The County Commission speaks as one, not five individual voices. Our collective ship rises and falls on that cohesiveness. Other than views expressed during board deliberations, don’t expect much on individual commissioners.

(Commissioners Rebecca Bays and Diana Finegan are exceptions because they’re running for re-election. Of course, we’re going to look closer at their individual roles.)

But it still comes down to us individuals. We cannot change the focus in Citrus County until we change what resides within us. Closer to home, what resides within me.

Several community, government, business, and political leaders are headed to Tallahassee this week for the annual Citrus County Legislative Days. These folks sacrifice time, money, and resources to help their community back home.

Citrus County arrives in our state capital with a big, goofy grin: “We’re here! How can we help you to help us?”

That’s our approach. We’re builders.

I’m planning a fantastic Monday. You too, friends.

Join the discussion on our Facebook page.

Individual donations are appreciated through Venmo, PayPal, or Patreon.