Time to put an end to this mess

Happy Tuesday! Let’s get to it.

Only the most troublesome Citrus Countian would hope that the 491 mess continues after today’s board meeting. The rest of us who have big plans for our community want to see this settled so we can move on.
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So, some thoughts:

— It will be discussed PLENTY today. Three commissioners have something at least loosely related to the 491 mess on their agendas.

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— In a move that only the naivest would consider coincidental, County Administrator Steve Howard has a “30-month progress report” on the agenda. Look at all the wonderful things we’ve done. Yeah, on the same agenda where Commissioner Janet Barek wants him fired.

— Don’t let anyone suggest Steve Howard doesn’t understand politics. He knows exactly how the bread is buttered.

— Speaking of Howard, I’ll reiterate: Reprimand, yes; firing, no.

— Commissioners are naive to believe Howard deserves a pass for his role in this mess. They go over the top lauding his leadership. Why then, from the position of leadership, did he sign a form attesting the truth of another document without reading it?

— Right above his signature, the form reads: “Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing statement and that the facts stated in are true.”

— According to Howard, he didn’t read it, despite him attesting that he “read the foregoing statement.”

— And, as we’ve mentioned, some of the “facts” stated on the other form were untrue.

— Like this one: “The project was also presented to and supported by the Citrus County BOCC at their regular meeting.”

— That’s misleading at best. The overall project — widening 491 — was supported along with a dozen others. This specific funding request, which the form addresses, was not.

— Commissioners: Are you OK with all that?

— Steve Howard is a great administrator. He has an awesome team. He motivates and encourages the community. We’re finally getting things done after years of inaction. He seems to really get us.

 — Doesn't excuse this behavior.

— The ethical bar should be set very high at the top. Remember, commissioners, your employees are watching.

— Not sure what to expect from Chair Bays. Let me say this: I believe Rebecca's heart beats for Citrus County. I truly do. She also has a tendency to jump ahead of the rest of us. This is one such occasion.

— Twice in the most recent meeting, she said something to the effect: “I hear you.”

— I wonder what she’s heard.

— Let's not forget: This thing originated from a developer’s lobbyist who, emails showed, had access to the county administrator to put together the legislative request. Other than the chair, none of the other commissioners knew a thing about it until six weeks ago when yours truly brought it up.

— See, I can’t get past this part. It’s a huge flag when the administrator doesn’t tell commissioners something of significance, and this would seem to fit that bill by a wide margin.

— Folks, this is RARE. Don’t give me that, “Oh, it takes place all the time,” without showing me. I’m not kidding. I’ve been around these parts. This sequence of events DOES NOT happen.

— I’d hope commissioners would understand that and have a little public chat about how to avoid it from happening again. Maybe some policies are in order. 

— Something I agree with: The public DOES want to move on. But they want this 491 mess settled FIRST.

— It’s up to these six. Not the chamber president, or the newspaper editor, or keyboard warriors, lobbyists, developers, and definitely not me. Nope, five commissioners and Howard make the call on what to do with all this. Let's see what they come up with.

— Either way, after Wednesday I’m moving on to other topics. Plenty of fish in the sea.

Have a beautiful Tuesday, friends.

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