Pendulum swing or just a mirage?

Happy Thursday! I have a hard-fast rule not to write about the same subject three times in the same week.

Which, I’m about to break. I’m doing that because I drove around for an hour Wednesday morning and couldn’t shake two thoughts.

Referring, of course, to Betz Farm. Two points, and then I’m done (for now).

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Point one: I’ve written on occasion about the pendulum swing, a change in the popular winds that has driven Citrus County politics for decades. 

In general, it goes like this: Citizens get into a pro-growth mode and elect commissioners who support that way of thinking. The pendulum then swings back to an anti-growth mode, and citizens elect commissioners who reflect that thinking.

It was always some form of fast growth vs. slow growth. What we’ve seen the last four years is what happens when the public holds up its end, but the County Commission doesn’t follow.

Since February 2022, when the Suncoast Parkway opened at S.R. 44, citizens have begged commissioners to slow additional growth. They understand that a lot of the growth today is organic — folks building homes on platted residential lots.

But they’ve made it extremely clear that the constant upzoning of property to allow additional homes has got to stop.

And on Tuesday, the board listened.

The pendulum took an entirely different turn. Instead of growth vs. slow growth, it was much more basic. Citizens see Tuesday’s 4-1 vote to kill the Betz Farm contract as — FINALLY! — the County Commission taking their side over developers.

That would certainly seem the logical conclusion. I wonder, though, whether all four votes carry the same meaning.

Two commissioners were clearly motivated to cancel the contract with Bravo Land Group. Commissioner Janet Barek gets all the credit for this vote. Another commissioner eagerly went along.

Two other commissioners, however, stated views in one direction, and then voted in the entirely opposite direction. Not sure what message it conveys for down the road.

Has the pendulum swung? This was one vote, but it sure sets the tone. 

A Just Wright Citrus reader stated it perfectly:

“One thing is certain; our citizens are becoming more involved and more educated about what’s really happening in Citrus County politics.”

— Point two: And…let’s just forget point two. I’ll tuck it in my back pocket for now.

— About the photo: That’s “Grandpa,” a live oak near the Betz Farm property. An online petition drive to stop the Betz Farm sale, based on protecting Grandpa and others like it (him?) had over 2,000 signatures. 

Lost in all the politics is the saving of this beautiful nature. Citrus County citizens who persisted in stopping the sale deserve platitudes. The government rarely changes its mind. Folks had an advocate in Commissioner Barek and the prevailing political winds at their backs.

OK. I’m done with Betz Farm. For now.

Have a wonderful Thursday, friends.

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