The reporter in me wants to blog

Good Tuesday morning.  Let’s have a chat.

I called a friend Monday morning. Someone who’s known me for decades, and we’ve socialized together on occasion. He reads Just Wright Citrus, understands the concept, and generally is OK with what I write.

I needed some advice and opinion about a sticky wicket I’ve found myself in.

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My friend has read all the blogs of the past few days about the C.R. 491 debacle. He noticed that on Monday, the same readers who were happy with me exposing the truth a week ago are now unhappy that I’m not going for the jugular.

Here’s what he said:

“You need to decide whether you’re an investigative reporter or a blogger who wants to engage the community. You can’t be both.”

And there you have it. I’m trying to be both.

Nearly all aspects of blogging life I learn on my own. I grew up in politics around here; I knew little of the community’s inner workings. That’s why I spend so much time in Cattle Dog chats, talking with folks instead of interviewing them. Big difference. I really want depth, not just the surface stuff.

One thing I carry from my newspaper days in that intangible little curiosity within my soul that lights up whenever something is off. I can’t explain it. I’ve learned to never ignore it.

So, when perusing the legislative budgets and saw $1.5 million in the Senate for C.R. 491, I immediately became suspicious. The county didn’t ask for that. How did it get there?

Well, now we know.

I thought long before writing those blogs. I knew the topic would open a can of worms, though not to the extent it has. I knew it would cause bad feelings in some circles, that some would turn their criticism toward me, and yet others would use this in their constant criticism of the county government, and then THOSE people would turn their criticism on me for not being critical enough.

Guess what? All that happened. In spades.

Let me tell you a little about how this blog business works. I'm a reporter/editor/editorial board all in one. News tips come in all the time. Some I check out, some I forward to the Chronicle. Some become blogs. No two tips are treated the same.

Same with blog topics. Nothing is off the table. So long as it has overriding community interest, or it just has my interest, it's fair game.

I eat, sleep, and breathe the blog. That and taking Bunny for walks is my existence.

This particular issue hit a nerve. The folks I usually get along with are angry at me. The folks who usually vilify me are egging it on. Not a comfortable spot.

Should I make some people happy by encouraging a solution? Or do I play to the angry crowd and start calling for heads?

I’ll attempt neither. 

Instead, we’re going to watch this thing unfold today. I’m sure I’ll be writing about it on Wednesday. If the county people involved want this to go away, they’d be wise to fall at the public’s feet and own up to EVERYTHING.

Five things, then we’re done:

— Every word on this blog is mine alone. The opinions are exclusively mine. If you don’t believe that, then don’t read the blog. I mean…I don’t know what else to say. Some people have conspiracy theories about powerful people "getting" to me. Look, man, that just doesn't happen. 

— That said, people across the spectrum influences my opinion. Readers especially carry significant influence. I write an opinion and 100 people disagree, that gets my attention. Clearly, readers sought a more aggressive blog tone on this particular issue. Politicians reading Monday comments should have no problem understanding where citizens are. 

— The Just Wright Citrus mission is to tell you things you should know, and wouldn't know if I didn’t tell you. That’s exactly what I did with the C.R. 491 issue. You didn’t know it a week ago and now you do. Much public discourse followed. Mission accomplished.

— I can see why readers would have expected a more direct blog from me on Monday. I set this thing up and then whiffed before the final pitch. OK, I’ll own that. I’m squeamish about repeated day after day criticism against any entity. I’m sure that had something to do with me laying off. Or maybe I just felt like it. 

— I’ll make this as clear as I can. What happened with C.R. 491 and the legislative request is inexcusable. Whole lotta community feel-goods went out the window, and for what? To help a developer who doesn’t give a rat’s rear about us. I’m disgusted this was done outside the sunshine and it ALL needs a public airing during the board meeting. I’m not predicting what happens after that.

That’s how I see it today.

— Unrelated to this mess, at 1:15 p.m. the board will hear from Maggie Rogers, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, regarding the proposed Citrus Hope homeless program. Take a look at the agenda backup. 

This is a very exciting idea for our community. Looking forward to the details.

Lots going on. Some great, some not so great. It’s sure not boring around here.

Have an awesome Tuesday, friends.

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