Well, first one is out of the way

The new County Commission met Tuesday and wasted little time opening up a can of worms.

Janet Barek took the oath of office, and then gave us a decent idea of what to expect from her the next four years: Someone who likes to argue to win her point, even if that means driving it into the ground. Not sure how well she’s going to play with others.

Rebecca Bays took over as chairman, with Diana Finegan vice chairman. Barek is second vice chairman, meaning she’s in line for chairman in two years. Can hardly wait for that.

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Janet has made it a point since her Primary win to say her TOP priority, the No. 1 thing she wanted accomplished at the start…comfort breaks during board meetings. You see, Janet’s a smoker. She’d like a 10-minute butt break without having to disappear while the board meeting is taking place.

Her point is not outrageous. Most boards take a 10-minute break during a long meeting. Citrus County doesn’t do that. Instead, individual commissioners take their breaks, one at a time, in a back anteroom while the meeting goes on. Commissioners say they can hear the meeting back there, so they’re not missing anything.

Few problems with that.

For one, it’s rude. And it seems kinda arrogant. It’s not unreasonable for citizens, who take the time to attend a board meeting, to expect the five commissioners to stay in the same room with them.

They kicked that around some and decided to let Bays call for a 10-minute break as she sees fit.

That’s not the can of worms though.

During talk about how the agenda is set up, typical conversation during a board reorganization meeting, Commissioner Jeff Kinnard floated this idea:

Cancel the first of two opportunities for citizens to address the commission. Instead, allow citizens to speak up on individual agenda items whether there’s a motion on the floor or not.

Let me explain.

The agenda has two spots for citizens to speak on any subject. Early in the agenda, and again at the very end of the meeting. Any subject at all.

On the surface, it makes for an open, inviting local government. Every other Tuesday, anyone could show up at the Courthouse at 1 p.m., spend three minutes grousing to commissioners about this or that, and then be on his way. The same opportunity comes at the end of the agenda.

Most people take advantage of the first open to the public when there’s an audience. It’s not so much the opinion, but that the opinion is stated before a room full of people and those watching online. 

That’s how the Library Guy Gang has been able to hijack so many meetings. Going on and on about items not up for a vote that day. Total waste of time, and throws the whole day off.

Sure enough, Library Guy didn’t like the idea. Spending two hours on anti-Citrus County rants doesn’t have the same punch later in the day.

“At that point, there’s nobody in the room anymore,” he said, underscoring the obvious that it’s attention his gang seeks, not actual progress.

OK, so let's say we knock off the first public comment. What about getting opinions aired before commissioners do anything official?

The County Commission allows public comment prior to each vote. However, a motion must be on the table to open it to the public. Commissioner Diana Finegan pointed out the unfairness of eliminating public comment without allowing citizens to speak prior to a motion.

So, the idea is citizens could speak on each agenda item before a motion is made.

I know, I know, we’re deep in the weeds. Unless you’re a Roberts Rules of Order aficionado, this is drier than wheat toast. And it’s really not as confusing as I’m making it.

The County Commission will have a public hearing at the next meeting to decide whether to go forward with this idea. We’ll get a better idea then what citizens think of it.

All told, Tuesday was a good first day for Commissioner Barek and colleagues. Nothing crazy happened.

We’ll take that as a win. Have a wonderful Wednesday, friends.

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