Diana Finegan, Josh Wooten feud explodes at Citrus County Commission meeting
'I hope charges get pressed.'
The fuse was lit well before the four-hour mark.
Much earlier, Citrus County Commission Chair Diana Finegan and Josh Wooten, President of the Chamber of Commerce, squared off in a flashpoint over politics, with Wooten calling for Finegan’s colleagues to replace her as Chair.
It exploded from there.
A citizen attending the Commission meeting says Wooten assaulted him during a confrontation that could be partially overheard off camera even as the meeting was taking place.
Finegan, from the dais, claimed to have witnessed a crime.
“Deputies, it’s on video, Mr. Wooten hit those people. I hope charges get pressed,” she said.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office interviewed witnesses and will review video before deciding whether to take the matter to the State Attorney’s Office, Chief of Staff Calvin Adams Jr. said.
Finegan, in her first term, is running for re-election in District 2. Wooten openly supports her opponent, Stacey Worthington, and incumbent Rebecca Bays in District 4.
Tuesday’s meeting was charged from the start. Numerous residents were on hand to urge Commissioners to approve a one-year moratorium on data centers, with the audience cheering after each speaker.
During a segment open to the public, Wooten took aim at Finegan.
“I have never seen such a lack of decorum from a meeting,” he said. “Madam Chair, you’re doing nothing to control this meeting. The Chair is constantly running against this board as she’s running for re-election. She’s making a mockery of this process. I’ve never seen a Chair allow such disruption in a meeting.”
Finegan shot back.
“We both know you’re running two Commissioners. And I work for these people, I’m not working against these people. I’ve asked them to not clap. And I run a very good meeting, thank you. I have a very lively crowd. If they’re not obeying what I’m telling them, I still work for them.”
Shortly before the four-hour mark, Finegan asked for public comment on a motion regarding a contentious land contract on property known as Betz Farm. Wooten again approached the lectern.
“I’m living in an alternate universe,” he said. “You guys have a fiduciary responsibility to speak for the taxpayers as a whole, not just the mob that’s before you on any given day. We’re living in strange times, friends, and you’ve got to keep level-headed. You can’t keep making these decisions and going backwards.”
Wooten wrapped up his remarks and headed back to his seat. Immediately, voices are heard rising off camera.
According to reports, someone made a remark to Wooten as he was returning to his seat, and Wooten tapped the man on the shoulder with his paper agenda. The man reacted angrily, setting off a confrontation.
Finegan did not recess the meeting and instead called deputies into the room.
“Mr. Wooten, did you hit those people as they walked by?” Finegan said.
“I saw that. You hit him with that. Yes, you did, and I saw it. You talk about antics; you just accosted somebody at this meeting. I watched with my own eyes as you hit those people as he walked by. And you know what? I know you’re coming after me, and I don’t care. People over politics. I am sick of this in this county!”
POOPED 
) move on his part. It would stave off a destructive primary and give Vance some cover to go medieval on the obstructionists.
