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Dissolution could be best thing for Crystal River

By GREG HAMILTON
Published March 23, 2005

A little more than a month ago, in an act of exasperation, I suggested that the citizens of Crystal River would be best served if they dissolved their chronically dysfunctional city government.

Whatever your views on euthanasia, pulling the plug in this case would be a true mercy killing. So-called city leaders have had more than two decades to figure out this whole self-governing concept, and they have failed miserably and repeatedly. A revolving door of 10 city managers in 20 years is just one, albeit a glaring, example of how the city powers just can't stop themselves from fussing and feuding, putting their selfish interests ahead of the what's good for the entire populace.

Their tantrums are more than just embarrassing, they are harmful to those who pay their hard-earned tax dollars to a bunch who just can't get it right. Remember, this isn't rocket science we're talking about, just basic civic services, the kinds of things that municipalities across the land manage to do day in and day out without these kinds of histrionics.

The current leadership in City Hall may not be the worst collection of elected officials to grace the council chambers, but their latest bungling just might be the final straw for a frustrated citizenry.

Plus, all indications are that the rancor among them will not end with the recent decision to fire yet another city manager. The dismissal of Susan Boyer and the impending exit of City Attorney David La Croix, added to the exodus of several key department heads, has put city business in a holding pattern at best, and a tailspin at worst.

With no end to the chaos in sight, the time truly is right for citizens to consider seriously whether they are getting their money's worth from the city.

It is heartening, therefore, to see that a group of residents is taking action to take away this governmental play toy from the various factions that have controlled Crystal River for so many years.

Claire Titus has become the voice of those residents who believe the best course of action is to dissolve the city government and turn over the functions it performs to Citrus County. She announced the group's intentions last week to the City Council, whose members were uncharacteristically quiet.

Do not be fooled into thinking that this effort is just more of the same wackiness from a city that seems to have written the book on bizarre behavior. Titus' allies are about to go door to door to collect signatures of residents who would support a referendum either in a special election or in November's general election asking whether the city should be dissolved.

All they need are 300 signatures. Does anyone truly believe they won't get that many? Further, would anyone want to bet against that referendum passing?

There are a number of legal wrinkles to be ironed out before the city could officially fade into history, issues concerning the city's finances, the status of its employees and other matters. All are important, and all are capable of being resolved.

For its part, Citrus County government officially is taking a wait-and-see posture, but its leaders are following the issue closely. There already are interlocal agreements between the city and the county dealing with water and sewers. The county planning staff is well aware of the dire straits of the city's planning department and the major development issues facing the city and the staff already has offered its assistance.

Discussions are under way about having the city's Fire Department join the county's forces. The Sheriff's Office, after having seamlessly absorbed the Inverness Police Department, could do the same with Crystal River. In short, the only thing that would be lost would be the clout certain big fish in the small pond of Crystal River now enjoy. The citizens could probably handle that.

The citizens may well choose to do away with this failed and wasteful form of government, as well as the double taxation that many now grumble about. At the very least, this referendum initiative might get the attention of the Crystal River power structure and show that the people are fed up.

Who knows? If democracy can begin to flourish in a place like Beirut, maybe representative government has a chance in Crystal River.

[Last modified March 23, 2005, 00:55:18]