Someone alert the New York Times

It’s my first time writing in the new Just Wright Citrus World Headquarters on the shores of Big Lake Henderson and I’ll admit to being a little nervous.

Plus, I’m rusty from nothing but birthday open-house stuff, so I’m going to ease back into political writing with an old newspaper trick called the Q-and-A.​

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Basically, we take a complicated subject and break it down, Q-and-A style, even though it’s me, the writer, doing the actual questions and answers. 

Like this. Say it’s a story about the County Commission passing a huge property tax increase. Not like that would ever happen, but just imagine. This is the typical newspaper Q-and-A to explain the tax increase:

Q: What the hell?!

A: Yup.

OK, so maybe that wasn’t a good example. I’m sure you get the drift. Here we go.

Q: Finished writing about yourself?

A: Next question.

Q: Did you read about Commissioner Diana Finegan? She wants to protect Crystal River from a rush of invaders.

A:  My goodness! Mayor Joe Meek attended my event Saturday and didn’t say a word about any insurrection.

Q: It was news to us as well. Fortunately, a Citrus County commissioner is on top of it. How do you feel about that?

A: Well, so long as it’s a local issue, I’m OK with it. Now, if the commissioner was just trying to earn political favor with certain groups on something that had zero impact in Citrus County, that would be a little different.

Q: Have you read the resolution on Tuesday’s County Commission agenda? Is it “local?”

A: Of course! Else, why would she bring it for a vote? Even Commissioner Finegan, barely a year in office, would know not to waste our time on something insignificant specific to Citrus County.

Frankly, I hadn't a clue that an “invasion” was “occurring in our state.” Darn that mainstream media!

Q: I think she’s referring to illegal immigration. The resolution calls on the governor to send out the militia. Any concerns with that?

A: Can we stop dancing around and cut to the chase?

Q: Have at it.

A: Finegan is starting to show a concerning pattern. This is the third time she’s come around with some philosophy-bent opinion that shapes her views as a commissioner.

Q: Why is that a problem?

A: Remember the New York Times debacle? Commissioners making policy decisions based on political persuasion. It’s like the Republican sheriff saying Democrats are dummies, or whatever insult he uses. When people in local office start throwing around partisan political weight, that’s never a good thing.

Q: Explain the Finegan issue.

A: OK, stay with me here. During the American Library Association discussion, Finegan went on about the ALA president being a Marxist, and how can we support such a person with a $275 annual membership when Citrus County military veterans fought for our Democracy?

Great argument except…Finegan is an election denier. She believes Donald Trump won in 2020, which places her out of touch with reality, at least on this point. I realize thousands of Citrus Countians share the same blind faith belief, but those folks aren’t making decisions that could affect my daily life.

Finegan is also the County Commission representative on the Canvassing Board, which certifies election results. This used to be a formality but not anymore, as we know. 

I do not share the concern mentioned by others that Finegan will try and taint the local election results. In a county where Trump is likely to win big, why bother? I’ve also been accused of being naive, so I guess we’ll see.

Q: I’d like to get a question in at some point. Whenever you finish rambling.

A: And now we have this ridiculous resolution telling the governor to call out the troops to stop an invasion. Good grief.

Q: Any predictions?

A: One never knows but I can’t see this going anywhere. Four commissioners are totally focused on Citrus County’s significant challenges and have zero interest in distractions. I'll be surprised if her motion gets a second.

Q: Final question: Why a deer photo with today’s blog?

A: It’s a favorite from the Old JWC campus.

— Thank you for the birthday wishes. It was a great 65th and I’m more fired up than ever for the Just Wright Citrus mission.

Have an awesome Tuesday, friends.

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