Why do I do this?
So I have been getting asked recently, why I am doing this and what is the goal. For some, they just see the chaos of public records requests, being harsh on elected officials, "complaining" about decisions and so on.
I figured it would be a good idea to tell everyone why I created this and what I plan to do with it going forward. How I plan to use this to help Citrus County. Watch the video below or read the summary to find out!
SUMMARY:
Curtiss Bryant explains the purpose of his podcast/vlog, which is to increase transparency, accountability, and public education regarding Citrus County government. After running for County Commission in 2024 and losing, he gained insight into how local government operates and noticed concerning behind-the-scenes practices. He emphasizes that his efforts are not to create chaos but to inform the public, hold officials accountable, and highlight potential legal or ethical issues.
Key Points:
- Transparency in Government
- He ran a campaign on government transparency and accountability. He wants to extend that to this new role and help make the government more transparent and accountable to the citizens of Citrus County.
- Uses public records requests, especially for text messages, emails, and social media, to reveal county business that often happens outside official channels.
- Advocates for better record-keeping, such as enabling county-issued phones for text messages to avoid public records violations.
- Public Education
- Aims to explain complex governmental processes like quasi-judicial hearings and land-use issues.
- Offers summaries of meetings and issues for citizens who cannot attend long sessions or review extensive materials.
- Believes an informed public can hold leaders accountable and restore trust.
- Improving County Operations
- Seeks to prevent lawsuits by alerting the county to practices that could lead to legal trouble.
- Proposes ideas like modernizing communication to reduce risk and increase transparency.
- Independence and Motivation
- His work is not income-driven, allowing him to speak freely without fear of financial backlash.
- Wants to create a platform for debate and community involvement without censorship, fostering constructive discussions.
End Goal:
Bryant envisions a transparent, trustworthy government where citizens have equal access to officials, free from “good ol’ boy” politics. Though his efforts may appear disruptive, he believes that challenging the status quo will ultimately improve Citrus County.