This is what victory looks like

Tuesday was a tie day.

The fact that I wore one at all shows the trajectory of my professional life.

Never was a tie person. I purposely chose a career where the expectation leaned more toward “sleeping in your clothes” apparel than three-piece suits.

---

When necessity required one, I went the clip-on route. Not just at age 10 going to some relative’s wedding. Also, at age 24, covering the Big Rapids, Michigan City Commission.

Well, a funny thing happened. I sobered in July 2006, and suddenly, I wanted to clean up my appearance. So, I bought a real tie, figured out how to (badly) tie it, and wore it to work one day.

A week or so into this, my co-worker friend Neale Brennan sent me an email that read: “I just want to say you look very nice today.”

After that, I became a tie guy. Wore ties four days a week. 

Until I retired. Well, sorta retired. The Just Wright Citrus dress code requires clothing in public, but that’s about it. You’ll usually see me tooling around town during the work week in shorts and a JWC T-shirt.

Ties are now worn quite infrequently. Only for special occasions.

Like Tuesday.

As a government geek, two days on the even-numbered year calendar stand out: Election and the day newly elected people take office.

Election Day gets all the glory, but it’s the follow-up action that counts.

And I witnessed something Tuesday I rarely see. Hope I can describe it accurately.

See, this election year was different than in the past. Two races — sheriff and superintendent of schools — caught particular interest in the community. Voters responded by overwhelmingly electing two community-minded leaders to office.

I never miss a swearing-in ceremony. Earlier Tuesday afternoon we saw Janet Barek take the oath of office for County Commission. That was nice.

Then I went over to the School Board for its 4 p.m. meeting when newbies Scott Hebert and Ken Frink would take the oaths for superintendent and School Board.

I kinda figured a few people would show up. I rolled into the parking lot at 3:30 and there was no place to park. Darrick Buettner, a brilliant educator who I’m convinced was the lynchpin to Hebert’s electoral success, greeted folks backing up at the door.

Well-wishers jammed the meeting room. School people, community leaders, and elected officials. This was cool — two of Frink’s District 2 opponents, Laura Gatling-Wright and Victoria Smith, were there. 

It then dawned on me. Holy cow, this is what victory looks like.

I’ve always seen victory from the Election Night standpoint. Winners surrounded by well-wishers, snapping photos, eating and drinking into the wee hours. Then eventually, they take office and start governing.

And while I look forward to the new beginnings that come with oath-taking day, I’ve never felt the sense of community pride I saw exhibited Tuesday at the School Board.

Sitting up front was one of my favorite people: Darrick Buettner’s mom, Mary Ann (my mom’s name), who enjoys reading the morning Chronicle and was disappointed when the editor stopped running my columns. She’s also the most loyal of loyal JWC readers.

I told her, “The reason we’re here today is because of your kid.” Scott Hebert’s closest friends and advisers grabbed his campaign at a critical juncture and breathed life into it. Those same friends will continue to encourage Scott as he begins this new journey.

Also up front was Scott’s mom Beverly, visiting from Pennsylvania for her son’s big day. Beverly brought gifts for everyone — handmade towels. Mine says, “Enjoy the Little Things.”

Each came with a note: “A little handmade towel to say BIG thanks for all the ways you’ve helped my son shine! Love, Beverly Hebert.”

How can you not support a guy whose mom brings homemade gifts? I mean…it gives me warm fuzzies all over, you know?

The clincher came after the politicians took their oaths. Then it was Rachel Montgomery’s turn.

Rachel is a Citrus County superstar because she deals with stuff we’d rather not talk about. Depression, mental illness, addiction, hunger — with kids. First with the sheriff’s office, and now the school district, Rachel’s only focus is the well-being of our children.

Tuesday, we watched while Rathel’s father pinned the Police Chief’s badge on her uniform as Sheriff-elect Dave Vincent administered the chief’s oath. Police Chief Rachel Montgomery is a welcoming and comforting presence for kids, teachers, and the entire community.

Just another hopeful, enthusiastic, and encouraging moment for our school district. And all of Citrus County.

What a great day! Tie-worthy, indeed.

Join the discussion on our Facebook page.

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