Good grief, I just looked at the calendar. The election is two weeks from Tuesday. Guess I better start writing about election stuff. Early voting starts Monday and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2. Already, 12% of the county’s 119,606 registered voters have cast ballots by mail. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see. My heart aches today for Albert John. That’s him in today’s photo. His picture also appeared on the front page of Thursday’s Chronicle, as reporter Mike Bates told the sad tale of Brentwood Retirement Community being shuttered, the staff let go, and feeble residents shoved to the street. One look at today’s photo should reveal everything you need to know. Yup. I’m empty. Readers know this sometimes happens. I get caught between blog cycles, something I’m working on doesn’t really pan out or isn’t ready to go, or the day gets by me and it’s 7 p.m. and I’m staring at a blank screen. A story from yesteryear: Very early in my Chronicle career, we had a county commissioner who had a knack for controversy. He was one of those politicians who believed his title afforded him better access to the government than ordinary citizens. Privileged, you might say. Good Tuesday morning! Today we present the highly anticipated political breakdown of the War on Mosquitoes. Not a week goes by when someone doesn’t say, “Just Wright, what is up with the Citrus County Mosquito Board race?” Actually, I wish someone would say that. Truth is, it’s the least attractive contest. Here’s what I mean: On the ballot, it’s dead last among candidates. Only the proposed amendments follow. Happy Monday! Let’s discuss my pot history. Hold that thought. We’ll come back to it. Today’s blog covers the constitutional amendments on the November ballot. There are six. I’m going to opine on one of them. My, my, my, what a mess. I spent a good chunk of Thursday with a rake cleaning up Mother Nature’s debris from Hurricane Milton, which roared through Central Florida during a night few of us will forget. Of course, it’s all blog material to me. I decided to keep a diary Wednesday, of sorts, throughout the night. Here’s how it looked: Mike note: We’re diverting today from too much hurricane talk. Can't help the timing. Please stay safe and smart, friends. A quick story: Josh Wooten, the chamber president/CEO, and I have been friends for years. He knew me well during my drinking life. He knows me well today. We were on the phone a few weeks ago talking about my Mike’s 66th and Buddy Bandana Paw-ty, which we’ll reschedule once life returns to normal. Just a few thoughts today as we prepare for the worst and hope for the best… — Everything of importance is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. If you’re supposed to evacuate, please do that. Shelters open Tuesday morning. Check Mayor Joe Meek’s Facebook page for the latest info on storm surge potential. The county, Commissioner Holly Davis, and the sheriff’s Facebook pages are also chock full of timely stuff. — Before I go crazy, my hurricane pet peeve: Assigning personal pronouns, as if Milton was an actual person. I saw it in a Monday post: |
AuthorMike Wright has written about Citrus County government and politics for 36 years. Archives
November 2024
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