Column

Pray tell, what will the next chairman say?

By JEFF WEBB, Editor of Editorials
Published December 30, 2007

It's the end of the year and you can't swing a noisemaker without knocking over a "Top Somethin'-or-'Nuther of 2007" list. Recognizing - and weary from - that overkill, this column will spare you such timely musings.

Instead, I invite you to join me in prayer.

They aren't my prayers, and the person who authored them prefers to call them "invocations." Nonetheless, they represent a collection of sometimes witty, sometimes poignant and always timely observations about matters that affected just about everyone in Hernando County in 2007.

I refer to the invocations offered by Commissioner Jeff Stabins before the beginning of every County Commission meeting for the past 51 weeks. The tradition has been for the commissioner who serves as chairman to assume that responsibility. For many years it translated to an invitation from the chairman for everyone to join him, or her, in a moment of silence as they remember military service members, or the victims of the latest tragedy or disaster.

But all that changed when Stabins was handed the gavel. He has composed and recited every invocation, each one decidedly different. That's not as easy as it sounds. If you doubt me, a guy who makes a living writing, ask the first member of the clergy you see. Being original is a challenge and, I suspect, the task takes on even greater meaning when one is addressing The Creator.

For many years, when watching commission meetings on television, I would not turn up the volume until after I saw the audience seated following the Pledge of Allegiance, which was after the invocation. Stabins also started the practice - one that should be continued - of asking selected veterans to lead the pledge. But for the past year, skipping the invocation might have meant missing one of the most interesting parts of the commission meeting.

Last week I asked Stabins about the prayerful ponderings:

Me: Why did you decide to write original invocations for each meeting?

He: "Well, the word invocation was right there at the top of every agenda, so I looked it up. Sure enough, it is a call to a higher order. What I originally wanted to do was invite ministers to lead the invocation, but I was strongly discouraged from doing that. So, I had to come up with something myself. The county attorney almost had a small calf when I told him my plan and a heated discussion ensued. He had concerns about the constitutionality (of an invocation)."

Me:I see you won that debate. What was your mindset when you wrote the first one?

He: "I tried to be inspirational and tie it into the events of the day. I also wanted to be careful not to offend anyone's religion, including those who have no religion."

Me:Did you ever seek ideas from others?

He: "Yes, definitely. (Former County Administrator Gary) Kuhl and (Deputy Administrator Larry) Jennings, other county employees. And, of course, my friends."

Me:Did you get much feedback?

He: "Early on, there were some comments made that people thought it was nice to do something different. One time, a county employee really laid into me for making light of an issue that he was very serious about."

Me:What was that issue?

He: "Pot-bellied pigs."

Me: When did you write the invocations, and did you ever push the deadline?

He: "Always within a few days of the meeting. I don't think I ever went to bed (the night before a meeting) without something completed. There were times when I changed the wording that morning, but I basically had them done the night before."

Me:Did you ever consider blowing it off and just calling for a moment of silence?

He: "Never. These are not literary masterpieces. I like to write, so it wasn't difficult.

Me: Were your prayers ever answered?

He: "It's hard to say. The time I asked for rain I was a dismal failure. But a couple of times I called for civility and civic-mindedness and things went pretty smooth."

Me:Your stint as chairman ends Jan. 9, when the commission will select a new one, most likely Chris Kingsley, who is next in line. Do you have any advice for Kingsley about how to handle the invocations?

He: "No, I'm sure he'll do fine. We all take our own personal approach to the job."

Me: Can you give us a preview about your final prayer on Jan. 9?

He: "I'm already thinking about it. It will have to do with a new year and a new beginning and there probably will be something for the new chairman."

Me: Last question: What prayer did you most wish would have been answered?

He: "I would certainly like to see more civility and good will from some people. We're only here together for a short time. I wish we all could get along a little better and get the people's business done in a positive and professional way."

Amen, brother, amen.

Jeff Webb can be reached at webb@sptimes.com or (352) 754-6123.

Never a dull invocation 

After reviewing more than 40 of Commissioner Jeff Stabins' 2007 invocations, many of which doubled as commentaries, these are some favorite excerpts.

A call for courtesy

Jan. 10: Almighty Father, who created the heavens and the earth, look down upon us kindly as we strive to be good stewards of your land that we call home.

Football fans get it

Jan. 23: Almighty Father, we often ask of you that which we wish to change. Instead, today we thank you for all you give to us. We thank you for the wonderfully warm winter weather. We thank you for the azalea trees about to bloom. ... And we thank you for Peyton Manning and Tom Brady and the fabulous game they gave us Sunday night.

Everybody's Irish

March 14: Give us the strength to weigh the evidence before us and render that which can truly be called justice. And in memory of old St. Patrick, may your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

Nothing to sneeze at

March 20: We gather here today on the first day of spring to give thanks for the beautiful weather that blesses us, from Aripeka to Istachatta, we are grateful for the azalea bushes, the chirping birds and the playful children on vacation. ... The pollen we could do without!

Expediency is next to godliness

March 27: May we who vote on behalf on others do so with integrity and compassion. When we disagree with one another, may we do so with grace, respect and humility. It is not a sin to resist the impulse to talk on every issue of the day.

Of baseball and droughts

April 3: We are eternally grateful for the start of the Major League Baseball season, which signifies that spring is truly here. The fans of the old Boston Braves once wished for "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain." Today, we'd simply take the rain.

Less can be more

April 11: We give thanks for the shortest land use agenda in my tenure on this board. Not that we don't all love land use hearings, but brevity is a beautiful thing, so often lacking in public affairs.

Perspective, please

April 17: Many of us here today will be tempted to treat the emotional and difficult issues on our agenda as if they were matters of life or death. They are not, and the people of Blacksburg, Virginia, know the difference. Our divisive issues are petty and pale in comparison to the tragic loss suffered by the Virginia Tech family.

I am asking each of you to keep your proper perspective as we conduct our public business. Let us never forget we are one people united by our love of country and the freedoms we all share. Our futures are tied together because we chose to call Hernando County home. We are all neighbors, whether we live in Spring Hill, Brooksville or a dozen places between. ... when we leave this room we will still be Hernando Countians, neighbors and Americans.

Of humility and hogs

April 24: Today we face a lighter agenda, with the possible exception of a couple of meaty evidentiary proceedings, when we will have to decide whether two pigs in a poke are OK. May we all act smart, and not a bit stupid, as we ponder the futures of Mr. Piggy and Cupid.

Nonpartisans rule!

June 5: We pray today for those on either side of the great tax debate to reach out toward the center. By working together we all could win.

The weatherman

June 20: Thursday afternoon will mark the summer solstice here in the northern hemisphere. For that we give thanks. But it is hot, and it is dry and we could REALLY use some rain - lots of it.

No jokes here

Aug. 8: Our collective community heart was broken again last week with the news of the death of SFC4 Cody Grater of Spring Hill. ... Three of our county's finest young men have now given the ultimate sacrifice in this war. ... Someday the carnage will stop and our tears will dry, but we will never forget the young soldiers.

Chastising his colleagues

Sept. 18: Now that the dust has settled from a difficult and emotionally charged budget hearing, may all the individuals elected to represent the people find it possible to set aside their egos and work for the common good. True statesmen don't play to crowds. They lead by honestly working with others to solve problems.

An ode to one who got away

Nov. 6: Today we give thanks for the great, brief career of Gary Kuhl as our county administrator. William Shakespeare once wrote that "Parting is such sweet sorrow." But I personally find little sweet about it. Mr Kuhl's steady hand and sense of decency were a welcome respite from the rancor, criticism and discord some chose to throw his way.

Hope for us all

Dec. 18: May 2008 be a year of wonder and peace on earth.

[Last modified December 30, 2007, 00:40:41]