Kyle Wright: Statement of support for FAMU campus needed

It should be the first item on the “New Business” agenda at the next Crestview City Council meeting.

The council should adopt a general statement expressing support and thanks for the idea of a Florida A&M University pharmacy school in Crestview.

Nothing binding. If for whatever reason the details in the final plans can’t be worked out, so be it. Just let the public and FAMU officials know the idea of a pharmacy school in Crestview is appreciated.

The public – at least the city council-attending public – needs reassurance its representatives favor the general idea of a FAMU campus in downtown Crestview.

It’s instructive the biggest applause during Monday’s council meeting was not for the council or even for State Sen. Durell Peaden, who is credited with pulling the legislative strings to secure funding for the project.

The cheers were for a local attorney who scolded the council for talking about wanting questions about the project answered, but then failing to ask questions of Peaden during his appearance.

One council member responded by saying the council had to follow a certain process. Another said the council simply had to do its due diligence.

They both were right, by the way.

However, the art of politics requires more than just being right. It requires being right, and also convincing at least 51 percent of the public that you are right.

The latter isn’t happening. At least not in the eyes of the public that attends council meetings.

A perception exists that some members of the council have been hostile to FAMU officials and to Peaden during their appearances at recent council meetings. Therefore, goes the perception, some council members must not want a pharmacy school in Crestview.

(That’s the perception. Don’t take it personally, council members. I’ve learned more than a few people have the same perception about the News Bulletin).

The take here: Some council members simply have questions they want answered – most of them reasonable questions, by the way – before supporting a specific plan.

The answers can come later. The final decisions can come later.

In the meantime, get the conversations going on a positive note with a general statement of support for the idea of a FAMU campus in Crestview.

Next meeting. First item on the agenda.

Kyle Wright is the News Bulletin Editor. Contact him at 682-6524, or e-mail kylew@crestviewbulletin.com. Visit his “Passing Shots” blog at crestviewbulletin.com to vote on the “Seven Wonders of Crestview.”