News of the Nature Coast of Florida

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 9 got poor marks for recent approvals of changes to Comprehensive Plan Amendments 13, 14 and 15.

Taking the BOCC to task was Theodora Rusnak, President of the Citrus County Council, on behalf of the council.

In a prepared statement, the CCC alleged that the county commission did not listen to the people, but to "certain special interest groups," and ruled in those interests' favor.  "When these amendments came before you, not one ordinary citizen got up and spoke for them," Rusnak said. Even when presented with the objections of 'we the people', Rusnak said, the county did not take citizens' objections and data into account when approving the changes, she said.

"Yet, in the face of the facts, data and real life reports presented by 'We the People,' this board chose to revoke previously well-thought-out decisions that were reflected in the current comprehensive plan," Rusnak said. "Indeed, it appears that you have continued to do so each time certain special interests want something changed for their benefit. This begs the question, gentlemen: 'Whose elected representatives are you?'"

Through Rusnak, the CCC suggested two concepts for the county commission. The first is to build only what's allowed - where it's allowed. "If you, as a board, have problems with concept No. 1, then publish the next comprehensive plan on Etch-A-Sketch. That would be a far more honest approach to county government and land devlopment," Rusnak said.

County Commission Chairman Gary Bartell told Rusnak that he didn't play favorites. "Every one is case by case," Bartell said. "I'm going to do what's right - I don't care who the applicant is."

Commissioner Winn Webb said that as elected representatives, commissioners must do what they feel is right for both the majority and minority. "We have to do what we think is right, even if we go against the majority," Webb said. "That's just how it works."

Commissioner John Thrumston said that the fact commissioners unanimously voted to accept changes to the amendments was testimony that five separate commissioners from different backgrounds believed that the changes were the best thing for Citrus County. "I think that five people (commissioners) were listening to all the concerns," Thrumston said.

Thrumston added that commissioners did their job well and were looking out for the best interest of the public.

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