Let's just skip past the public part

Super Monday! Let’s jump right into it.

Few things get my goat more than the government trying to pull one over on people. When it’s something stupid — renaming a historic body of water — one has to wonder the real purpose. If commissioners are willing to go behind our backs for this, what’s next? Port Citrus II?
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We’re referring to the “proclamation” on Tuesday’s County Commission agenda that renames the Cross Florida Barge Canal as the “American Freedom Canal.” 

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I rattled off numerous reasons last week for this sudden interest in making our barge canal all patriotic and such. Mainly, that this was to show the world we’re American by golly, and to impress other politicians. In other words, no good reason.

Since then, however, it’s become clear that we’re really talking about Who’s in Charge.

Hint: It’s not you or me.

The day I first met County Administrator Steve Howard, he told me his key to success with a board of diverse individuals is this: Work for five, not three.

Meaning he wouldn’t be swayed by political allegiances. He’d keep his head down, focus on the tasks at hand, keep his staff focused on their jobs, and let county commissioners set the policy. As it should be.

Well, apparently that “work for five” approach is out the window. Howard came up with this idea of the American Freedom Canal, then shopped it before county commissioners in individual meetings. He took their suggestions, massaged the wording, and that’s what we have on Tuesday’s agenda.

Except…that all sounds improper as hell. He’s conducting public business outside the public’s view. At least two commissioners told him no way, and it’s still on the agenda.

Now. You know me. I’m a policy wonk. Government geek. Trains run on time because of smart processes, that kind of thing. The government sets procedures and we expect those rules to be followed.

The biggest government rules in the Just Wright Citrus handbook are these:

— Don’t conduct public business in private.

— An over-the-top sales job is a significant red flag of a policy breakdown.

Let’s take the first. Howard ran the canal idea past individual commissioners, one-on-one. He massaged the wording based on their comments. He had at least two, if not three, votes already lined up before placing it on the agenda.

That is simply wrong. Those discussions that should have taken place publicly have already occurred privately. 

Howard sends out a Sunday commentary email. I’m not on the list but someone provided me Sunday’s edition, which discusses this canal idea. He wrote:

“This decision to bring the proclamation forward was made independent from the BOCC and with no collaboration with outside entities.”

Two things.

1. That’s not his job. The administrator’s job is to carry out the board’s policy, not the other way around. He shouldn’t be doing ANYTHING independent from the County Commission.
2. “No collaboration with outside entities” isn’t something to brag about. That tells me it was dreamed up by people in government offices who don’t grasp how this community thing works.

Plus, the fact that it’s a proclamation blocks all public participation. The county rules — should commissioners decide to follow them — exempt proclamations from public comment during board meetings.

As for the second part, Howard’s response to the public outcry was to double down on the “it’s for the veterans” message. The county’s Facebook page has a heartwarming video from my good friend Doug Alexander extolling the virtues of the American Freedom Canal.

Here’s my question: Who asked Doug to do that? The board hasn’t voted on a thing, hasn’t even publicly DIRECTED anything, and already the county’s propaganda machine is firing up the rhetoric. Howard’s Sunday message says this will cost ZERO tax dollars (remember that) and “minimal” staff time. Last I checked, the staff was neck-deep in real work. There is no “minimal” time.

Finally, the emotional push for veterans. This one probably bugs me the most. Citrus County loves its military veterans. Everyone knows that. The idea floated by some that opposition to this insane idea is somehow anti-American, is incredibly insulting. And pathetic.

Look. If the county wants to involve the community and write up some ceremonial name for the barge canal, have at it. There’s a process for that. It’s called public involvement.

But don’t buffalo us, man. We see right through it.

Join the discussion on our Facebook page.
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