Sobriety, passion meet at school

One day, I had an idea.

Tuesday afternoon, I saw it play out.

This story began decades ago when the CREST school opened in Lecanto. That closed the old Lakeview School at the corner of U.S. 41 and Parsons Point Road in Hernando, and much debate followed as to what to do with the property.

---

Rather than sell the land for a Speedway (true story), the School Board transferred it to the county on the understanding the historic 1941 school building would be restored and used for community purposes.

Many people worked hard on the restoration project, raising thousands of dollars to match state grants. My 2004 Leadership Citrus class (best class ever) helped in the cleanup of the old auditorium.

Then it all stopped. The governor vetoed funding, local interest waned, and the building fell off the county’s radar.

I’ve visited the school every so often to stroll the property. I recall years ago driving by one day to see then-Commissioner Brad Thorpe, whose district included Hernando, on a riding mower taking care of the grounds.

While the county demolished the non-historical buildings two years ago, this beautiful old piece of Citrus County history hasn’t come close to its community potential.

Enter Club Recovery of Citrus County.

Go back to last October and the planning for Mike’s 65th and Bluegrass open house. We raised money and awareness for Club Recovery, which hosts 12-step meetings and gatherings in Hernando.

I’m a Club Recovery member. At the time of my party, we had just learned the lease on our property, where the club has been for 11 years, would end in early 2025. The club began looking for a new home.

You see where this is going.

Heading home from Club Recovery one day I drove past the old school and had a crazy thought. I turned around, parked on the grounds, and took a walk through the building. A vision came to mind: These old classrooms holding recovery meetings with sober drunks and druggies. Like-minded organizations having a presence.

I could see it: Full parking lot seven days a week. Celebrations and family events. The Hernando community embracing it all. And neighbors eager to help.

Club Recovery Community Center at the Historic Hernando School.

I met with “Miami” Bill Antonen, president of Club Recovery, to walk him through my vision. It was totally different than what these guys had in mind (I have that way with people). I suggested the club expand its horizons beyond just 12-step meetings, and into the community.

Bill and others embraced it. They took my vague idea and narrowed it to a workable plan. 

They met with county staffers and individual commissioners. On Tuesday, Miami Bill and Club Recovery presented their plan to the full County Commission, which agreed by consensus to work up a 5-year lease that will come back for a formal vote. 

I’ve been around county government enough to know that devil's in the details, so we’ll see how this goes. But commissioners are thrilled that a community group has offered to take over the school and breathe life into it.

“This is one of the best things that’s been presented to us in a very long time,” Commissioner Rebecca Bays, the board champion for mental health and addiction treatment, said. “I’m passionate about this one.”

I’m thrilled that Club Recovery is this close to solving a decades-old dilemma. I'm equally thrilled fellow alcoholics and addicts have a safe place to recover.

The Historic Hernando School has long sat just outside the Citrus County political realm. It is woefully under-utilized, and few people really care. If all goes well, it’ll be filled with life and energy.

Talk about a win-win.

— The local Republican groups have been pushing commissioners to pass resolutions in favor of this or against that. These are not local issues. It’s all national or state stuff.

Tuesday’s batch came from folks who wanted the County Commission to come out against Amendment 4.

To their great credit, commissioners did not wade into that pool. Commissioner Jeff Kinnard nailed it: That’s not our job.

A citizen summed it really well. We don’t want commissioners encouraging folks to vote one way or another. Today, it’s a ballot amendment. Next, commissioners are telling us who to vote for governor.

County commissioners are policy-setters. They have a full plate. Plenty of big decisions that affect our daily lives. Voting advice isn’t one of them.

— I haven’t forgotten about the Chronicle forum. More candidates to discuss in Thursday’s blog. Have a fantastic Wednesday, friends.

Join the discussion on our Facebook page.

Enjoying the blog? Please consider supporting it at Venmo, PayPal, or Patreon.