Scouting for tomorrow's leaders

Happy Thursday! I had a blog idea, though it was more like a blog glimpse with nothing behind it, so we’ll figure it out on the fly.

Starting with the photo. That’s CFO Blaise Ingoglia and Rep. JJ Grow posing for pictures after Blaise was honored during the Withlacoochee Soaring Eagle Awards dinner Friday night at the College of Central Florida.

The event was a fundraiser and community recognition for the Withlacoochee District Scouts, serving Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter counties.

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Tremendous buzz in the room. That’s what happens when like-minded people gather for a common cause.

And you know what else happens? Politics.

There’s a part of politics that voters who are mad about growth or taxes rarely take into account. It’s the part I consider just as valuable as the official stuff.

It’s this: Community involvement. All things equal, I’m trusting the politician who shows he/she cares outside of the normal trappings of the elected position. 

If you’re not lifting a finger to help a neighbor or the neighbor’s kid, then running for office is simply a job search. There’s no heart in it.

But those who are elected and then use that position to elevate others, well, they are true winners.

Readers know I’m locked into the County Commission. I’m also locked into the community. It wasn’t always that way. Not until after leaving the Chronicle and starting Just Wright Citrus did I expand my horizons outside politics. That’s when I realized how it all coexists.

The four announced County Commission candidates, including the two incumbents, have strong community ties unrelated to politics. When those folks say they’re hearing various issues from citizens, I’m confident that's a wide sampling because of their community involvement.

This is why it’s not enough to tune into County Commission meetings alone to determine political success. Yes, a commissioner’s only actual job is to vote yes or no. But what’s behind that vote?

A little perspective. The competition for news these days is nothing at all like it once was. Today, we have bloggers and podcasts. Imagine four daily newspapers in Citrus County, all jockeying for position.

That was the atmosphere I walked into at the Chronicle 39 years ago this month. When I took over the County Commission beat a year later, I wanted to know as much about these people as possible. I couldn’t predict how a commissioner would vote. But I'd have a pretty good idea which way he/she leans.

Community involvement is key to all that. While a cynic says politicians always show up during an election year, there’s only a kernel of reality to that. The community fakers vie for attention. I’m not concerned about those people. Their true colors will shine, they always do. Voters see right through that.

The elected officeholders and candidates I saw Friday night are regulars at events such as these. Community participation is routine. While we may disagree on the political stage, they truly care. And it shows.

Another point, then I’m done.

Also honored Friday was community leader Steve Lamb, who needs no introduction. Unrelated to the Scouts recognition but want to mention that Steve and Jewel Lamb are gatekeepers for many Citrus County political candidates.

The smart candidate has a chat with the Lambs before getting too deep in the campaign weeds. Not only does Steve support candidates financially, the Lamb name carries A LOT of weight in Citrus County.

My hunch is the Lambs support community-minded candidates. The ones with a proven resume. They need to line up politically, of course, but Steve’s going to ask, “Who are you? What have you done for our community?”

Events such as Friday’s put a real charge into me. It’s a reminder that we have a whole community of caring individuals, and some of those people may want your vote this fall.

It’s a beautiful Thursday. Enjoy it, friends.

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