Experts: Spike Not Second Wave “We’Re Still Riding the First Increase in Cases, the Percent Officials Say Rise in New Virus Cases Citrus County Wave
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Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 NASCAR: Earnhardt Jr. headlines Hall of Fame class /B1 WEDNESDAY TODAY CITRUSCOUNTY & next morning HIGH 90 Stray shower LOW possible. 73 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com JUNE 17, 2020 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community 50¢ VOL. 125 ISSUE 253 Experts: Spike not second wave “We’re still riding the first increase in cases, the percent Officials say rise in new virus cases Citrus County wave. We’re just seeing the re- testing positive has remained COVID-19 information sults of (additional) testing. about the same for the past few We’re testing like crazy,” Er- weeks, Rubio said. due to expansion of testing Two new positive cases were nesto “Tito” Rubio, the Citrus During a second wave of the reported in Citrus County since County health department di- pandemic, Rubio said he would FRED HIERS the cases in more than 100 other the latest FDOH update. No new rector, told the Chronicle. expect an increase in the num- Staff writer countries since the pandemic deaths were reported. To date in As of Tuesday, the DOH has ber of infected people sent to began. the county, 152 people have tested nearly 7,700 people in Cit- intensive care units or needing In the past week there have The trend has also hit Citrus tested positive and 12 have died. rus County for the virus. Of ventilators and that’s not been 13,624 new Florida corona- County. those, 152 tested positive, or happening. virus cases. In the past six days Citrus deaths in our state alone, are we about 2%. In late April it was 7%. Originally, businesses and Between June 9, 2020, and County has had 24 cases, also seeing the second wave many Florida-wide, nearly 1.5 million public places were shut down June, 15, 2020, that’s the most among the highest number re- health experts have warned us people have been tested and and people asked to stay at cases Florida has recorded over corded over that time period. about and braced against? 5.5% were positive. home so local and national seven days since the state began With more than 80,000 cases Local and national health One indication that this is not keeping track. It is more than all in Florida and nearly 3,000 leaders said no. a second wave is that despite the See VIRUS/Page A12 Q&A: Candidates for property appraiser MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle The Republican candidates for property appraiser explained how they would deal with Duke Energy — the county’s largest taxpayer — if elected. Candidates for property appraiser met with the Chronicle editorial board Tuesday, June 16. All four are Republicans and the winner of the primary will face off against Richard A. “Rick” Schroeder, a no-party-affiliation candidate, in the November general election. Here are the highlights. — by staff writer Michael D. Bates n OFFICE: Citrus County Cregg David Tim Rob Property Appraiser . Dalton Gregory Reynard Tessmer n WHO: Republicans Cregg n Why are n Why are n Why are n Why are Dalton, David Gregory, you running? you running? you running? you running? Timothy Reynard and Rob Citrus Having Reynard has Tessmer said Tessmer; no-party County, he worked in the over 34 years he’s always Cregg David Tim Rob affiliation Richard “Rick” said, is grow- property ap- experience had a “ser- Dalton Gregory Reynard Tessmer Schroeder . ing. The Sun- praiser’s of- as an ap- vant-leader” coast Parkway will attract fice for 14 years before praiser of residential and philosophy and wants to n TERM: 4 years . more people here once it’s retiring, Gregory said he commercial property. He’s give back more than he re- n SALARY: $129,064 . extended. This year alone sees “a few issues” that he worked for current prop- ceives. He said he “felt the saw 4,000 new Homestead believes could be erty appraiser Les Cook pull” to put that work ethic n COVERS: All Citrus County . exemptions filed. Dalton improved. the last five years as dep- to good use as property n ON THE BALLOT: said he wants to be part of One of the biggest, he uty of appraisals. appraiser. Aug . 18 Republican the growth and, with his ex- said, is taking a hard look at He said he’s the only one Also, his extensive real primary winner faces perience at the sheriff ’s of- the contract paid to the who has the knowledge and estate background is a plus, Schroeder in the Nov . 3 fice and working for the Ohio-based company that experience to replace he said. election . See DALTON/Page A2 See GREGORY/Page A2 See REYNARD/Page A5 See TESSMER/Page A8 Newest principal of Inverness Crippen: Credit Middle School is former student card debt resolved, BUSTER we are working on a mis- Baird became Inverness Missy Zaniewski, and her THOMPSON sion, and I’m sure with Ms. Middle’s principal at the family moved to Inverness says he ‘forgot’ Staff writer Baird that will continue start of June 2020, when her in 1984 from her birth- that mission smoothly.” former teacher Crandall place of West Palm Beach. MIKE WRIGHT It probably didn’t come “I am humbled and also retired as a math and She entered Inverness as a surprise to 33-year In- blessed for this opportu- science teacher for seventh Middle as a fifth grader, Staff writer verness Middle School nity,” Melissa Baird said and eighth graders. who was “sheltered, very A Citrus County sheriff ’s can- teacher Steve Crandall about the latest title in her “She would have been a nervous and very shy” be- didate said he “just totally for- when he learned a student 23 years of education. “I great boss,” Crandall said. cause of time in private got” three credit card debts that from the school became truly believe things hap- “It would have been school. resulted in a pair of lawsuits filed its principal. pen for a reason and our wonderful.” However, the local against him in 2019, and was re- “Our mission here at paths take us exactly Crandall left Baird with school embraced her with- minded only in May when a third IMS has been to make life- where we need to go, and some advice: “Love your out a second thought. company filed a similar lawsuit. long learners,” Crandall I’m exactly where I need IMS family.” Patrick said. “It’s a testament that to be.” Baird, who was then See BAIRD/Page A2 Crippen See CRIPPEN/Page A9 Classifieds . .B6 Crossword . .B10 INDEX Sports . A11 Obituaries . .A6 Comics . B5. Editorial . A14 Lottery Numbers . .A11 TV Listings . .B4 Horoscope . A4 Entertainment . .A4 Lottery Payouts . .A11 A2 Wednesday, June 17, 2020 LocaL Citrus County (FL) ChroniCLe n NAME: Cregg Dalton. n NAME: David Gregory. DALTON n AGE: 44. GREGORY n AGE: 70. Continued from Page A1 Continued from Page A1 n TOWN: Inverness. n TOWN: Homosassa. Sumter County property n POLITICAL PARTY: Republican. hosts the office’s website, n POLITICAL PARTY: Republican. appraiser’s office, he be- Tyler Technologies. n OCCUPATION: Citrus County Sheriff’s sergeant. n OCCUPATION: Retired from the Citrus County lieves he’s the right man n What changes would for the job. n EDUCATION: Master’s in business administration, you bring? “No big Property Appraiser’s Office. n What changes would St. Leo University; bachelor’s from St. Leo changes,” he said. “I want n EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts, Castleton State you bring to the office? No University. a smooth transition.” College, Castleton, Vt. n changes. Rather, he said n COMMUNITY: Citrus County Education Foundation Duke Energy is the n COMMUNITY: Jaycees, Boy Scout leader, Sons of he would enhance the al- Men Building Men Mentoring Program, founder/ county’s largest taxpayer ready strong foundation of and its valuations can re- the VFW, Loyal Order of the Moose. director; Citrus County Blessings; Citrus County the office and emphasize quire special expertise. Chamber board of directors; Phil Royal Legacy n WEBSITE: www.votedavidgregory.com. greater interaction with How would you deal with the community by visiting Foundation; Citrus County Anti-Drug Coalition. Duke? “I think we’re n EMAIL: [email protected]. schools, deed companies n WEBSITE: www.votedalton.com. handling (Duke Energy) and organizations to edu- the right way,” Gregory Not enough? Just about communicating with cate folks about how the cited his servant philoso- Dalton said he’s bound by said. right? Gregory said the people, he said. property appraiser works. phy and people skills. Florida Statutes which al- n What strengths do you $3.5 million is about right That is an area Gregory “I really want to put the “I’m not a politician and lows the exemption. bring to the position? “Ex- for the office. Some sav- said he excelled at while property appraiser office never will be,” Dalton said. “I can’t look into the fu- perience, experience, ex- ings could be realized, he at the property apprais- out there as a public orga- “I’m a public servant.” ture and guess what some- perience,” he said. said, after examining the er’s office. nization,” Dalton said. n What about the property one is going to do (with the Gregory worked as a technology company’s “You have to explain to n Duke Energy is the appraiser’s $3.5 million bud- future use of their land),” field appraiser and also contract. But that will people,” he said. “You county’s largest taxpayer get? Too much? Not enough? he said.