We're losing another Citrus slice

Happy Tuesday! Two items on our list today:

• Shamrock to close.
• Angry people.

— As was reported throughout social media over the weekend, the iconic Shamrock Inn in Floral City has been sold and will close at the end of business day Saturday, Aug. 2.

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The Shamrock is one of my earliest recollections of Citrus County, even though I haven’t visited for quite a few years. Knowing it was there, though, provides the kind of balance that we’re losing lately.

Florida Cracker Kitchen, which also took over the Riverside Resort in Homosassa, is the new owner, so we know the spot won’t sit empty.

Still, it’s yet another reminder that Citrus County of old is slipping away. While there’s excitement for the new, it’s a bit of a tug on the heartstrings when Regina Freywald announces she’s closing the Shamrock after 25 years in business.

Regina says 50% of her sales on Aug. 2 will go to Floral City Elementary School. Let’s give the Shamrock a nice sendoff.

— I blocked someone from the JWC Facebook page Monday morning. I haven't done that in a long while, but she gave me no choice.

Last week’s post featuring Crystal River Mayor Joe Meek and the Plantation Inn sale generated a ton of activity. Over 140,000 views, 800 reactions, and 180 comments. When the comment numbers are that high it means many new readers are weighing in, and it's a lot of chatter. I pay closer to attention to make sure no one's going off the rails.

And they weren’t. A little criticism of the mayor and the city, some concern about what the Plantation will look like once it’s renovated to a Margaritaville, or something like that. Mostly though, very positive reaction.

Well, every so often someone will feel the necessity to comment on other comments. I’m OK with that, but I’ll step in when someone is repeating the same point, essentially arguing with individual readers.

That’s what we had with the Plantation post. I sent this person a note:

“I see you have an opinion on the Plantation sale. Actually, you have numerous opinions. Way too numerous, especially for someone who does not live in Citrus County. It’s not necessary to repeat your arguments to individual commenters. Thanks for participating, but let’s avoid repeat comments on the same subject. Have a great day!”

Now, you tell me. Threatening note, or a simple request to tone it down? As far as I know, this person and I have never met.

Well. Her response was, um, a little over the top. The abridged version:

“Thanks for your useless opinion…I will interject my opinion any time I please. I don’t need your permission to exercise my right to free speech. Who do you think you are? I spend quite a bit of money in Citrus County…I will continue to speak my mind whenever I feel a need to. Nice try in trying to silence me. You sell out! You will not silence me, in fact, I’ll double down now!”

A few other adjectives, but you get the gist.

Normally, I’ll try and talk readers off the ledge when they offer up the "how dare you silence me" reaction. Most readers, once we chat about it a bit, are cool with the direction.

But my gosh, after reading such self-righteous diatribe, I decided to skip right past Go and block her. Seriously. Take that attitude elsewhere.

Then, someone sent me a link to a Facebook video of a former politician who is seething in anger at me and the Chronicle. For what, I do not know. He never said. I guess he disagrees with the viewpoints expressed here.

On top of that comes a Facebook comment from our former state senator/now chief financial officer, Blaise Ingoglia, who too the oath of office Monday. A few folks were complaining about Editor Jim’s column in the Chronicle that did not hold Blaise in high regard.

This is what our new CFO wrote: “Everyone should unsubscribe and stop going to businesses that advertise with them.”

Yeah, it’s Blaise, but c’mon. He’s a statewide officer now, a member of the Cabinet. And he’s calling for a boycott of a legitimate business simply because its editor is critical of his job performance. Political leader? You tell me.

No point in all that. Just another day in the life.

Have a happy Tuesday, friends.

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