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Opinion

  •
    Facts about county budget

    In an effort to correct the factually inaccurate and misleading comments in Sound Off and letters to the editor concerning the county budget, I offer the following budget facts:

    1. Ottawa Avenue was paid for by gas tax, not from property tax and has had no impact on our general fund budget.

    2. Impact fees, which are paid for by new home and business construction, cannot be used to replace declining property tax dollars. Impact fees are used for funding facilities such as roads, parks and libraries.

  • Campground can’t be a money-loser

    By the Chronicle Editorial Board

    THE ISSUE: Chassahowitzka River Campground.
    OUR OPINION: Use comes at a cost.

    For those disgruntled about having to pay a price to enjoy the Chassahowitzka River Campground: Unlike county government, those now managing the property can’t bank on tax dollars to offset the cost of doing business.

    For that matter, taxpayers shouldn’t relish the loss of $140,000 since 2005 while the county was managing the campground on Southwest Florida Water Management District land.

  • An olive branch in hospital feud

    By the Chronicle Editorial Board

    THE ISSUE: Hospital Foundation board offers to include Trustees in strategic planning.
    OUR OPINION: A break in the fighting — a good step toward healing.

    The community has lost patience with governance battles at Citrus Memorial. That’s why it was such a bright spot to read recently that the Citrus Memorial Health Foundation operating board invited the public Citrus County Hospital Board’s trustees to its upcoming strategic planning session.

  • Allocation could put dent in bay...

    THE ISSUE: Senator procures $100,000 for King's Bay cleanup.

    OUR OPINION: Wonderful News.

    State Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, deserves credit for his concern about water quality. His latest endeavor is music to our ears and the melody must be sounding exceptionally sweet to Art Jones.

  •
    Citrus County at a crossroads

    The economy in Citrus County, as well in the state of Florida, and the entire United States, is in a very difficult
    situation. In Citrus County, we are at a crossroads with our economy. We have two options, two paths we can choose as a community.

  •
    Fishing? Was it for fun or was it...

    Those of you who are regular readers of my ramblings know I have one sibling, only one — my good brother William. He’s almost four years older.

    When we were little fellows, no one thought we looked alike at all — he was blessed with our mother’s Cherokee-based skin color, her dark brown eyes and he sported a head full of thick, coal-black hair, while I, on the other hand, resembled our father with a fair complexion, green eyes and somewhat thin, blond hair.

  • Redistricting a matter of political...

    President Lincoln said that “you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” Maybe so, but one can fool a majority of today’s voters most of the time. The proof is everywhere to be seen: Nationally, the least-qualified candidate ever to run for the presidency was elected by a majority on the basis of “hope” and “change.” Only after the election did it become clear that the “hope” was meaningless and the “change” was a remaking of the country to a welfare state.

  • Thank you for leaving a health care...

    Chris Pool
    Special to the Chronicle

    Nov. 15, National Philanthropy Day, is a day set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy makes in our communities.

    You may not realize this, but Citrus Memorial Health Foundation is no stranger to the goodness of others as we’re a 501(C)3 charitable organization. In fact, over the past few years we’ve made great strides, all thanks to the kindness of local donors.

  • Beverly Hills shows how to tackle...

    THE ISSUE: Mow It program.
    OUR OPINION: Civic association takes bull by horns.

  • Mobile unit a good goal but wrong...

    By Chronicle editorial board

    THE ISSUE: Hospital Board purchase of mobile medical unit. 

    OUR OPINION: Noble goal, but wrong approach.

    While many of us are enjoying comfortable chairs in our adequately-heated homes after finishing good meals, there are plenty of folks in Citrus County for whom that’s more wish than reality.

  • OPINION POLL for the week of Jan....

    Do you make it a priority to buy "Made in America" products?

     

    Click on the link below to vote:

    http://www.chronicleonline.com/opinion

  • ISSUE 01/07/2011: Christmas...

    It is hoped that the memories of the Christmas season in Citrus County are joyous, with evidence of holiday spirit, goodwill and altruism still bringing smiles to young and old.
    However, many of those memories are now bringing this community unsightly evidence of one of the unpleasant traditions of the holidays — the mountains of trash that are accumulated, and still can be found lurking around sidewalks, blowing down streets, tangled up among bushes and unsuccessfully hidden along dirt paths.

  • ONLINE POLL for the week of 1/3/11

    To get to this week's online poll, click the link below. This is a shortcut to a hard-to-find part of our new website, and we're hoping this makes it easier for you to vote.

    http://www.chronicleonline.com/opinion

  • Detriment of low water levels

    Ron Miller
    Special to the Chronicle

  • Key tourney a success

     

  • THE ISSUE 11/20: Hospital trustees...

     

  • THE ISSUE 11/10: Veterans Day...

    Greatest Generation fading, but not forgotten

    Gen. Douglas MacArthur concluded his Farewell Address to Congress in 1951 by referencing a popular barracks ballad, which proudly proclaimed “old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Just like the barracks ballad of old, the veterans of World War II, who are acknowledged as America’s Greatest Generation, are fading away into history with each passing day.

  • THE ISSUE 11/9: Hospital staff,...

    Dedication, cooperation save lives

    They kept their promise.  Many thought the idea too complicated, too risky, too demanding -- except for the enthusiastic staff at Citrus Memorial Health System and the unselfish radiologists who set about making the idea work.

  • 11/08/10 ISSUE: Over half of county...

    Lunch program paints county economic picture

    School officials estimate that 57 to 58 percent of students in Citrus County schools will qualify for free or reduced lunches this year.

    This is a small increase from last year, and represents as much as a 30 percent increase over the number of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches during the 2004-05 school year.

  • THE ISSUE 11/7: Elections.

    Landscape of government changes quickly

    The 2010 election season is over. And while robo-calls during dinner and negative TV ads end, a new political landscape begins.

    Our founding fathers created a political system whereby every two years Americans can express themselves -- and on this past Tuesday, voters let out a primal scream.

    In a historic election Republicans took control of the U.S. House of Representatives by gaining more than 60 seats, defeating Democrats across the country, as Democrats barely maintained control of the Senate.