The Spencerian

Profile & Interview: Josh Shulman -- Balanced Government is Better Government

by Benjamin J. Kirby

I'm heading up 66th Street, late for my meeting with Josh Shulman, the Democratic nominee for State House in the new District 69, which is a lot of Saint Petersburg, Gulfport, all the way up to Kenneth City and Pinellas Park, over to the beach communities, and all I can think about is the Republican Convention.  I am struggling, desperate for an idea on how to begin my conversation with a local candidate running for an important state office using something other than the obvious national -- global -- get-together happening just over the bridge.

"So," I say after the brief, breathless introductions, me an unforgivable ten minutes late, "How's the campaign going with this big convention deal going on up the road?"

He'd get a more thoughtful, better framed question from the newspaper staff at a high school.  I am embarrassed already.

"I was just at an event with a group of doctors, 'Patients Over Politics,'" he smiles, "I recognize the irony there -- I was the only politician around -- but we had a wonderful conversation with these doctors, largely talking about the Affordable Care Act.  It was a good start, but there is more to be done, and a lot of it is work we can do together on a state level." 

He hasn't missed a beat.  And I haven't even cracked the notebook yet.  

The conversation has begun.

I try and settle in.  Josh, a 36 year-old financial planner with an easy smile and a manner that is direct, but not threatening, seems eager to continue.

What do you want to get done when you're elected?  It seems like a better question, something to get us moving in the right direction, at least.

"To slow things down.  To stop bad legislation, and work across the aisle with reasonable-thinking Republicans on good legislation.  We need to think strategically, we need to move Democrats back into the conversation."

In a way so natural you wouldn't notice, he nudges the dialogue away from the nakedly partisan, the overtly political.

"If we insist on looking at the government of Florida as a business, then let's look at what businesses want: a stable environment in which to invest.  We need to find ways to compromise to bring about that stability.  It's that stability which provides a good business solution, and makes Florida the kind of place where you want to raise your family."

I put down my pen and realized with a bit of melancholy -- but also a good bit of hope -- that this was the first time I'd heard a politician not just say those words, but engage in a entire conversation the point of which was to support that very idea.

I skip the coffee.  The conversation was already too good for an interruption.  More of it after the questions Josh was good enough to answer directly. 

# # # #

When and where where you born?  May 20, 1976 in El Paso, Texas.

What was life like growing up in the northeast?  What I like most about the northeast is the wealth of diversity, opportunity, and the connection to our American history.

You held three jobs working your way through college -- what were those jobs?  I worked three different jobs at the same time while in college.  The first job -- my main job -- was as an office manager/optician/lab technician for a family-run optometrist.  The second job was working nights -- 6:00 pm to 6:00 am -- as an EMT.  The third was working for Lens Crafters as an optician and lab technician.  

How long have you been married -- tell us more about how you met Jennifer.  Jennifer and I just passed our fourth anniversary; we were married on August 8th, 2008.  We liked the date because the number 8 represents infinity and the idea of two independent circles connected together.  I met Jennifer through a blind date.  I was volunteering for the Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society and met a couple who knew Jennifer's family and thought we would be a great fit.  They were correct.

You have a son -- Jacob.  Is it hard running for office and raising a baby?  I think this question is more for Jennifer as she bears the lion's share of the work.  Outside of the actual work it takes to raise a baby, the hardest thing is not being there.  Often I leave the house before anyone gets up and come home after he is in bed.  Jennifer has him playing with pictures of me in campaign materials.  She says, "Go tell Daddy something," and he goes to the card on the refrigerator and picks it up.  It felt strange when he did that while I was there, but it was also very funny.  We just call him "Flat Daddy."  Jennifer and I are both working hard for this campaign; we know that we are doing this so that he can have a better Florida.

Talk a little bit about what inspired you to get started in politics/elected office when you did.  What first brought your attention to politics and government?  I first decided to run for St. Petersburg City Council because I saw that the decisions made by government have lasting impact, long-term impact on our community.  I wanted to help shape the community and the city we live in for the better.  There are many ways to get involved in the community, whether it is through civic organizations, non-profits, or just helping a neighbor in need.  I felt that running for office allowed me the opportunity to do the most good for the most people.

What has inspired you to run for State Representative?  Like many Floridians, I have been troubled by the extreme agenda and one-sided, unilateral decision-making coming out of the Florida House over the last two years.  I do not believe that much of the legislation reflects the attitudes and ideas of most Floridians, instead it has been playing to a vocal and well-funded base of constituents, and we deserve better government.

Who are some of your early political influences in American politics?  Growing up mostly outside Philadelphia, you cannot understate the impact of being surrounded by American political history and the context in which our country was founded.  I am awestruck by the courage, convictions, and even the human failings of our Founding Fathers.  They have left us a tremendous legacy and we owe it to them to live up to their sacrifice and struggle.  I grew up a huge fan of Thomas Jefferson.  His words in the Declaration of Independence so eloquently struck to the heart of what it is to be free.  As I learned more about him and his Presidency, I  learned of the internal struggle between his personal ideology and the responsibilities of a President; he did not always do what fit his personal nature and ideology, but instead did what he though was best for the position he held , this is a model I hope to follow.  We have lost that ability to look past our own ideology and embrace the bigger picture of a world that is bigger than ourselves.  I hope to change that.

What is the most surprising thing you've learned about how politics (ie, campaigns) works?  What surprises me most is how dissimilar the role of campaigner and the role of Representative are.  Before I got into this race, I thought about what it would take to do the job of representing some 160,000 Floridians, how I would balance their needs, wants, resources, and risks.  Ultimately, I felt that I had the skills necessary to be an effective Representative, someone people in the district would be proud to speak of.  You quickly learn in a campaign that those skills and views in no way are what it takes to GET elected.  Growing up, we are taught that we hold elections to select candidates; we select them based on qualifications, views, ideas, personality, etc.  The truth is that we actually elect people based on two things: money and messaging.  I am not surprised by this, more dismayed that we all take for granted the system that others struggle so hard to give us. 

This election year looks to be contentious.  Is there any sense in this political cycle that we will get away from some of the nasty, personal pettiness and move on to the issues that matter, at least in your race?  The upsetting part about negative politics is that it works.  Campaigns deploy those tactics because they are effective at casting doubts in people's minds.  If they didn't work, they wouldn't be used.  In order for us to make a break  from pettiness, the voters need to make it clear that they will not stand for it.  From my standpoint, I have nothing bad to say a about my opponent.  I applaud her desire to represent the people of Pinellas.  There are distinctions about how we see Florida, where we are going and how we get there.  I hope to focus on those differences.

What issues translate for you from a national level to a local level, as you look at what people in the new District 69 are talking about?  The economy is the biggest issue on the minds of Floridians.  The economic slowdown is not just affecting Florida, it is affecting the nation and most of the world.  Businesses want  a government that is stable, policies that have staying power, and costs that are consistent and predictable.  If we can deliver that, then we can bring more businesses here, which helps everyone.  Businesses also need customers.  We need to focus on helping the middle class.  The more disposable income in the middle class, the more they buy and do; the more they buy and do, the more businesses make money; the more businesses make money, the more they hire which then creates more customers.  Henry Ford said that he wanted to keep the price of his cars affordable and pay his workers well because then his workers will buy more cars.  We need that sort of mentality in Florida.

If you were the King of Florida -- or even just Governor -- what would be the first things you change for the better?  I would universally change how we handle our education system.  I am a product of public schools; however, I am a product of public schools in a community that truly has made education a priority.  We need to invest in our students.  The strength of our society, future business opportunities, community cohesion, and overall health of Florida all starts with how we support and nurture the education of our youth.  It is so important that we have written it as a mandate into our Constitution.

Looking ahead five, ten, even twenty years ahead, what are some things that Florida needs to do now to make it the kind of place you'll want to continue to raise your child?  Florida needs to look past the politics and issues of the day.  We spend too much time focusing on short-term issues, while completely neglecting the long-term impact of our decisions.  We must get past the moment and keep our eye focused on the bigger picture.  We must also put political ideology aside.  Arguing over issues that divide us will not allow us to come together and we need to come together to solve the bigger problems we face.  I hope that Jacob and others growing up here will see Florida as I do: a beautiful environment, with beautiful people, limited only by our own imagination and willingness to do better.

# # # #  

"My hope is that my time in the legislature would be a transformative time for the state, a time where we come together.  We need to gain a balance."

He's talking about the kind of government he wants to see -- the kind of government we need.  I ask him what he'd tell the people of District 69 if he could communicate with every single one of them at one time.  He's got the answer locked down.

"Balanced government is better government."

He delivers the line with such conviction that I'm momentarily taken aback.  This guy is a true believer.

So many politicians run for the sake of running.  It is clear to me that Josh genuinely believes in public service.

"There are some things, though, where I won't compromise.  I won't tolerate hate.  I won't tolerate those who represent anti-GLBT issues.  My door in Tallahassee will always be open -- there won't even be a door, we'll take it off the hinges -- but those people who represent hate don't even need to come by.  We have nothing to say."

Elated beyond words at finally finding a candidate who recognizes the value and importance of compromise, and yet has core values and ideals, my mind wanders a bit.  I realize I've interrupted him.

I've launched into one of my old campaign war stories and about half-way through, I realize I have entirely lost the point I was trying to make.  I finish it for the sake of telling it.

Josh is smiling, to be polite, yes, but he is genuinely engaged as well.  I end up asking something about timing.

His smile grows, "You know, it's 69 days until Election day.  69 days in District 69." 

He's right, of course.  It's Wednesday, August 29th.  Only 69 days to go.  

Josh Shulman is going to continue his important conversation in District 69 for the next 69 days.  It's too important a conversation not to have, so I hope you'll join him.

Please support Josh and his campaign for the balanced government we all need, however you can.

Profile & Interview: Let's Re-Elect Jennifer Salmon to Gulfport City Council

by Benjamin J. Kirby

Here is the scene: I get home from work, usually around 5:45 or 6:00, and my daughter greets me with an enthusiastic Daddy! before resuming her usual late afternoon activity.  

Duncan steps out from the kitchen to say "hi," then steps back in to finish dinner.  I try in vain to calm the dog, who is usually going nuts on his bed.  He knows what's coming.  

Two year-olds and wives can have patience, and my two year-old and my wife have infinite patience.  "Infinite" compared to Conan, the one hundred and ten pound Great Dane, cooped up in the house most of the day.  He must walk.  

And walk we do.  I love seeing Emeline and Duncan, and I frequently bad-mouth my dog as a pain and a burden, but our mile or so walks are often pleasant, and are usually the most exercise I get in a day.  

They also remind of why I live where I do, which is Gulfport, Florida.  The houses look a lot like mine.  There's the people walking dogs, like me.  Sometimes they're pushing a stroller (like me, when Emmy comes along).  Sometimes they're pushing a walker.  A lot of folks wave, most prefer saying 'hi' to Conan over me, which is understandable.  

Specifically, I'm frequently remined of why I live in Gulfport, Ward Three, where I am represented on the City Council by Dr. Jennifer Salmon.  

Before your brain immediately makes the usual associations with the concept of a politicians and elected officials, let me also note that Councilmember Salmon is a neighbor of mine as well.  She lives on the next block down, and her house is usually the first place Conan and I slow down to take a look (we've gotten to where we take the walks -- rain or shine -- at a pretty good clip).  

They have this genuinely amazing yard, and you'll read about it in a minute. 

Dr. Salmon was good enough to respond to my questionairre for my too-infrequent series, Profile & Interview. 

# # # # 

When and where were you born, and where did you grow up?

I was born in Boston and raised in rural Pennsylvania and later lived in Vermont, Washington, Massachusetts, and Oregon and finally Florida.

Where did you go to college?

• Middlebury College (BA in American Literature, 1981).
• University of Washington (Masters of Librarianship, 1984).
• University of South Florida (Ph.D. in Aging Studies, 2001).

What brought you to Gulfport?

I was living in Tampa and working on my dissertation when, In 2000, I went to a dance at the Casino and fell in love with Gulfport. I bought my home two months later.  

Tell us a little about Don and your son, Michael.

Two years later, I fell in love again at the Casino, this time with my husband Don.  We adopted Michael from birth in 2005. Don and I work from home in research & software development.  He is an avid organic gardener and musician.  Michael has been fortunate to have a number of loving and creative environments for part-time  and then full-time child care and school: family day care by a Gulfport provider, our city run Tot-Time program, early intervention program and then Voluntary Pre-K at Gulfport Elementary School, and now Kindergarten at Douglas L. Jamerson Magnet School for Math and Engineering.   

Talk a little about the garden at your house and how it came to be.

Don started transforming our front yard into a orchard when he moved here in 2002.  We went to workshops on permaculture and started http://www.permaculture.us/

In 2010, some local gardeners started Gulfport Organic Landscaping Days and visited each other's homes to get ideas and trade information. This morphed into  the Gulfport Growing Greener event at the Casino in June 2011.  My mom was the first organic gardener in my life.  When we moved to Pennsylvania my parents pulled out hundreds of rocks and, over the decades, have created an abundant vegetable and flower garden that first fed us and then family, friends and now they share their bounty with their church and food pantry.  My dad is an artist and has many paintings of mom in her garden.  Perhaps that is why I made the link between gardening and art in Gulfport.

Talk a little bit about what inspired you to get started in politics/elected office when you did.  What first brought your attention to politics and government?  Who were some of your early political influences in American politics?  What about on the world stage?  

My family was my earliest political influence.  I was president of the first recycling club in our high school.  My family was always interested in national politics. One grandfather was a leader of the young Republicans in Vermont and the other grandfather was a lifelong Democrat who never missed an election. I have been involved with every presidential campaign since 1972 even though I could not vote for president until 1980.  I remember my first local election when the polling place had a series of individual levers or you could pull one large lever and vote for everyone in one party.  I'm glad that changed.  I would work very hard for and be very excited about a presidential candidate and then be disappointed when the world was not immediately improved by the election of one person.  

I have a much more realistic expectation now that I am an elected official.  Democracy requires majority votes, which means that one person cannot change the world alone.  Also, officials are human beings; they are affected by the people who show up and speak out.  Extreme views on the left and right are not what is best for everyone.

What politicians influence you now?  Are there political ideas from non-traditional sources that influence you?

I am a news junkie and watch several news programs each night and all debates.  I am fascinated with how politicians and the media frame issues- a program that was called "clear skies" took the  air out of the clean air act.  Locally, the Nitrogen Consortium was founded by the biggest polluting industries which realized that if they get local cities to join them, they can take advantage of municipalities' good stewardship of our water to offset the industry impact on the flowing waters, estuaries, and open waters. 

I like politicians who speak truth to power but also those who put aside partisanship and work to make life better.  Bob Graham is a great example.  I recommend his  America: The Owner's Manual.  Making Government Work for You.

What are some of the highlights from your time on the Gulfport City Council? 

I learned that there are three ways Council members are effective.  We can pass ordinances with at least three votes. I'm proud we passed the tax exemption for low income seniors and expanded curbside recycling. 

We can change city procedures by consensus or resolution and I am proud that we added online bill paying, and opened workshops for public comment. 

Individually we can make suggestions to the city manager.  I was able to get 21 new or upgraded bus stops for free rather than allowing bench signs; State funded Voluntary Pre-K at Tot-Time which is free to our parents and increases city revenues; free wireless in the library; and along with the Chamber, we invited the South Pasadena Community Band for four free concerts a year. Those free concerts bring 400 people to our waterfront one Thursday a month.  Working with Gulfport Growing Greener, we offered a day-long event that brought over 700 people to the waterfront

Talk about what it takes to balance a budget as complex as that of a city like Gulfport.

I don't think Gulfport's budget is more complex than any other municipal budget.  Our challenge is made greater by the loss in property values and the impact of Amendment 1.  This is our most important job.  I was horrified to see that Michigan is taking over failing cities and replacing elected officials and staff with a governor-appointed administrator.   Gulfport City Councils have always been careful with our reserves.

I support a stable budget that covers all our core services.  When property values go up, the millage should go down. When property values go down, the millage should go up so you can count on a stable property tax each year.  Watch out for people promising to increase your fees for basic services like water, sewer, and sanitation to balance the budget.  This is a regressive tax because it charges everyone the same regardless of their means. 

We rely on staff knowledge.  Each department knows how to reduce expenses or increase revenues.  Some examples are: Providing fire services to the unincorporated area between Gulfport and S. Pasadena.  Adding VPK to tot-time to increase revenues at no cost to our parents.  Contracting when it makes sense but moving staff into other jobs when possible. For example, we already contract for water & sewer, County Library services; cleaning our buildings; and red light cameras.   If we contract anything in the next year, it will be from other departments; not police or fire.

Even for a smaller city like Gulfport, we can have complicated, and even contentious issues.  Tell us about the issue of the Gulfport Police and dispatch.  What are some of the common misconceptions folks have about that issue?

This was a very tough decision because we love our dispatch staff.  We had only one dispatcher per shift; there was no way to make it less expensive.  At the Sheriff's office, we have at least two people on every emergency call.  One talks to you & one talks to your Gulfport police officer.  Dispatch stays on the radio with that officer until everyone is safe.  If another call comes in, there is plenty of backup.  It is safer for everyone. Our police now have state-of-the-art GPS and access to immediate backup from S. Pasadena.  We insisted and the Sheriff guaranteed our Dispatchers jobs at their current salary.  The city pays $2,000 a year to keep our 893-1030 non-emergency phone number. Those calls go directly to dispatch.  You will see only a Gulfport police officer at your door.  Although this was a tough decision, we are now saving $300,000 every year.  I am absolutely committed to keeping our local police. 

Lots of folks in Gulfport talk about our boundary with St. Petersburg along 49^th Street.  What can we do with our neighbors in St. Petersburg to bring businesses to that area, reduce crime, and make it a seamless part of two great cities?

Many of the recommendations from the 49th Street Neighborhood Plan (updated 2006) have been implemented but there still is more to do.  The South 49th Street Business Association (So49) has done the most to bridge the divide with St. Petersburg.  We have a community police officer who walks those streets and looks for potential problems and finds solutions.  Officer McLaughlin is working closely with Gulfport Neighbors, a group of volunteers committed to making our city safer and prettier.

Safety is a top priority. I am committed to keeping our local police. I voted in the interest of safety and our budget to contract with the Sheriff's office for police dispatch (see above). I invited Keep Pinellas Beautiful to conduct their litter survey throughout Gulfport. Thanks to their data and increased awareness of this issue, police are enforcing the state and local litter laws and ordinances that will improve property values throughout the city.  We hired an engineering firm to shepherd our application for federal Brownfields funds which is one piece in attracting new business to 49th Street.  I have also pressed for completing the storm water project on 49th Street.

As the incumbent, there’s no doubt you’ve heard from a lot of constituents about Clam Bayou.  What are your thoughts on what we need to do there?

As a Council member I have a responsibility to look at each issue with an open mind and not just from my previous role as an activist. I want to see this long-standing problem in our city resolved in a responsible way that both protects and brings back the marine and bird life that used to exist in great numbers in the basin on the Gulfport side. This is an environmental issue, not a navigation issue.

My comments are based on data from the 2008 study conducted for the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (Karlen et al., 2009) which found contaminants in the top 2 cm of sediment at significantly higher concentrations than in the control sites in 2008 or 2001 for the following: cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, PCB, lindane, dieldrin, chlordane, DDT, lead, PCB, and PAH. Additionally, based on data provided by the Audubon society, I learned that in 2002 there were 35 bird species and 2,433 birds in Clam Bayou. In 2009, there were only 26 bird species and 325 birds.  This story is not unique to Clam Bayou; but other cities are reclaiming their estuaries and flowing waters while we sit silent.

In my December 2010 meeting with SWFMD engineers, I learned that the current project will not increase flushing in the basin as promised but it will reduce the amount of new toxins entering our part of the Bayou. They finally finished the 40' deep retention ponds upstream from this basin, which will hold new sediment and trash that previously went into the basin. Now, we need to safely remove the accumulated toxic sediment by obtaining proper EPA permits as was done for Lake Maggiore and Sawgrass Lake in St. Pete.  We can apply for Brownfields or other grant funds to clean it up.  Let's make all of Clam Bayou a safe place to fish and a destination for watching, birds, manatee and dolphins.

What issues translate for you from a national level to a local level, as you look at what people in Gulfport are talking about?

At the Institute for Elected Municipal Officials training, we heard a story about a woman speaking during public session about not getting her Social Security check.  A less experienced councilmember said "Oh Mrs.Smith, we don't handle Social Security checks, you will need to talk to your Congressman."  But a more seasoned councilmember said "We will contact the Congressman for you."  The point was that all politics is local. When you are a local elected official, you recognize that every national issue has local impact.  The foreclosure crisis affects us daily.  In addition to our families being forced out of their homes, all of our property values go down and that means a loss of revenue for our core services and local safety net programs for children and seniors.  The cost of health insurance impacts our employee costs.  Energy costs affect our city operations and our employee and residents' finances.  The sooner the country can get control over health care and energy costs, the better for all local governments. 

Looking ahead five, ten, even twenty years ahead, what are some things that Florida needs to do now to make it the kind of place you’ll want to continue to raise your children? 

We need a way to transition from urban sprawl to a region of concentrated towns or neighborhoods connected by convenient electric bus/vans with plenty of green space and waterways.  I lived in Cambridge, MA, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR.  I know that Light rail is everyone's favorite project but the reality is that fixed rail is limited except between major destinations.  I prefer a more nimble system that can respond to where people live and shop.  Gulfport is almost there with its GEMS van, which could expand for all ages and run through all our neighborhoods.  Sustainable and local gardens beautify the neighborhoods and provide healthy produce for families as well as teach children where food comes from.  I would like us to become known as a "garden city" and as an "art city."

What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about how politics and campaigns work?

I was fortunate to be unopposed when I ran for my first term.  So I began the job with fresh eyes and ears wanting to make a difference.  I started a blog right away because I people told me they wanted to understand what officials were thinking when they vote.  People asked me if there is any point in speaking at public session or do council members come with their minds made up.  I tracked my thinking through the blog in part to answer that question: http://www.jsgulfportcouncilblog.info/ 

Now that I am in the middle of my own first campaign (after helping on many others), I appreciate how tough it is to be an elected official and also run for office.  I had proposed increasing council terms to 3 years and 4 years for the mayor to reduce the amount of time running for election.  This did not get support last year but if re-elected I will try again.  I have been most surprised by the so-called "social media" (often it seems to be anti-social) including blogs (it is with some trepidation that I respond to this questionnaire!).  But I have also watched groups mature from using social media to shame others to using it for doing good.  I hope that this becomes a trend.  The internet has such promise to be useful for honest communication and transmission of ideas and also as a way to bring people together.  The current council took on a lot of tough issues (you didn't ask me about code enforcement) but I think our process which often was rough at the beginning became more responsive to residents' concerns and solutions.  I still find that face to face communication is the best way to communicate.  My most fun times were the six town hall meetings I held in the last two years.  I will continue to do these in a second term and encourage everyone to attend.

# # # #

When it comes to locally elected representation, I'm fairly lucky.  Representative Rick Kriseman goes to the Florida Legislature on my behalf here in Florida House District 53.  And City Councilmember Jennifer Salmon represents my interests for the city I call home -- the city where my wife and daughter (and dog) greet me every day after work.

Hey, I'm lucky to have such great elected officials, it's true.  But I'm really lucky to have such great neighbors.  Sometimes Conan and I will stop and talk to Don and Michael if they're out in the yard.  We see Jennifer -- always busy -- every now and then, too.  These aren't just the kinds of people you want attending City Council meetings on your behalf -- these are the kinds of folks you want as neighbors.  

You'll know their house when you see it.  They live across from the guy who always waves to me from his garage, where he's got a big screen TV hooked up and he's tooling around on cars.  Just down from the people with the fancy Florida yard, and the other folks who have the dog who hates Conan.

I hope you'll support Jennifer Salmon for Gulfport City Council, Ward 3.  Thanks to Councilmember Salmon for taking the time to answer these questions. 

Profile & Interview: Fighting Like Hell for Good Ideas... the Rise of Rick Kriseman Part II

Rick Kriseman was pissed off.

It was Thursday, September 2, and the Democratic Representative from Florida's State House District 53 was fed up with Republican inaction on the oil spill, and he was ready to cut another YouTube video.  That same day, another oil rig in the Gulf would explode.

First, the background.

On April 20, 2010, the British Petroleum oil rig, Deepwater Horizon, exploded, killing 13 and injuring more.  Nine days later, Kriseman and his House colleague Democratic Representative Keith Fitzgerald, issued a press release calling on the Florida House to "end the debate on oil drilling."

In Fitzgerald's quote, one felt a transcendent, magnanimous attempt at correctly elevating the issue beyond political borders while still tattooing it with the urgency of the moment:

“Now is the time to revisit the question of drilling close to Florida’s shores. We call upon the drilling proponents to renounce their plan. We commend Governor Charlie Crist for recognizing the implications of drilling and hope the proponents have similar wisdom.”

In Kriseman's quote, the complete disdain for the Republican leadership's inaction was palpable, and perhaps more disturbingly, prophetic:

“This is a debate that should have never been started and must now end. We have seen enough. Had this disaster occurred three miles off our coast, our beautiful state and our economy would be in ruin, our future in peril. Representative Fitzgerald and I, along with many of our colleagues, experts in the field, and millions of Floridians, have sounded this alarm for over a year now. It’s time for Representative Dean Cannon to listen.”

It would not be the last time Kriseman called out Dean Cannon by name.

As the destroyed Deepwater Horizon well spewed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, Kriseman continued to ferociously promote the cause of ending the practice of oil drilling off the coast of the shores of a state which relies on tourism to survive.  He put out a May 6 press release essentially acknowledging the addition of candidate for Governor Alex Sink and Attorney General candidate Dan Gelber to the cause.  He issued a May 21 statement offering information related to the spill.  On May 26, he posted a link to the live feed of the oil well leak.  On May 28, he issued a statement offering "more thoughts" on oil drilling and renewable energy.  He again called out Florida House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon by name on the issue of oil drilling in a June 8 statement.

After more than two months of oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico, Governor Charlie Crist, a relatively newly minted independent seeking a U.S. Senate seat, heeded their cry and called a special session for July 20-23.  Kriseman acknowledged this with a statement, the headline of which spoke for itself: "FINALLY".

Kriseman and Fitzgerald co-sponsored and introduced House Joint Resolution 7C (Kriseman's statement on his legislation is here; his campaign site now has more than half a dozen statements on this issue).

On Tuesday, July 20, House Speaker Larry Cretul adjourned the Florida House of Representatives after just 49 minutes with no action taken.  This was viewed with a bitter irony inasmuch as it was the Republicans who lamented the calling of a Special Session ostensibly due to the prohibitive cost to the taxpayer.  Instead what the taxpayer got was an expensive day of sending legislators to Tallahassee, only to send them home again in under an hour.  There was barely any time to look at any legislation, much less consider it or vote on it.

The final history of HJR 7C is described in coldly procedural terms: Died, Not Introduced.  While  technically true, this phrasing must have felt depressingly poignant to supporters of banning off-shore drilling like Kriseman.  The images of dead and dying wildlife were as ubiquitous as the televised suffering of the shrimpers, fisherman, hotel owners, and shoreline natives.  Was this the very best the Florida Legislature could do?  What else should the chief legislative body of a state do if not this?  Is there any issue not driven solely by political consideration?

Even after such a profound disaster, the answer to the last question stubbornly remains: apparently not.  With low expectations firmly in place, it was nonetheless hard not to be disappointed, not just in the failed Republican leadership of this state, but in the process as well.  While the Republicans plotted 2010 campaign politics, oil continued to pour into the Gulf.  It was the three month anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion.

This time, it was Fitzgerald who seemed to speak for the team, and even the state: 

Some of my colleagues in the legislature claim that in ‘the shadow of a disaster’ is ‘no time to make these kinds of decisions.’ Well, I think it is exactly the time to make those kinds of decisions – I thought it was time to make those kinds of decisions back in May when I urged the governor to call this session.

We had an opportunity to send a signal to small business owners in Florida and to tourists who want to visit some of the best beaches in the nation that we are not an oil state. Instead, the House leadership in the special session not only wasted the time and resources of the legislature by calling us together for less than two hours in total, they also sent a signal to those small businesses and tourists that Big Oil is still king.

Near the fourth month of the spill, even Kriseman had to acknowledge that interest in the issue was waning.

Then, on September 2, a second oil rig exploded off the coast of Louisiana.

That same day, Kriseman uploaded a YouTube video, and this time his rage was unvarnished:  

It's clear this fight will likely continue, at least on some level, into the next legislative session.  This is good news, because there is ample evidence that this is an issue which Kriseman cares about.  It is certainly one he seems poised to fight.

Then again, Kriseman doesn't seem to be afraid to get out in front of an issue if he believes in it.  He is the prime sponsor of an initiative to urge the repeal of federal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy.  And when he and his family lost their house to a fire, he is environmentalist enough to have built a new "green" home.

Indeed, Kriseman's house is as good a jumping-off point as any to this second installment of this Profile & Interview with Representative Rick Kriseman.

This is the second of a two-part series -- read the first part here.

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Talk a little about your new house and how it came to be.

While on a vacation in Virginia in 2008, we received a call from our family advising us that our home was on fire and we needed to return immediately.  After returning home and seeing that the home was not salvageable, we knew we would have to build a new home.  As the Ranking Democrat on the Committee on Energy for the past three years, and having learned so much about LEED and green building during that time, my family and I felt that we should put our “money where our mouth was” and try to build our home as green as possible. While both the contractor we hired, Deslandes Contracting, and the architect we hired, Roney Design, had never built a green home, both were excited about the prospect of doing so. We then hired Darren Brinkley of Real Building to assist our team in all aspects of building a green home, including our effort to have the home LEED certified.  After 6 months of construction, the house was completed and we moved back in to the home.  We are awaiting results from the LEED inspector.

You served on the St. Petersburg City Council.  What were some of your highlight moments?

There is much that I am proud of during my time on council, and I feel very fortunate to have served during the city’s renaissance. My goal was simple – I just wanted to make St. Pete a better place to live. Specifically, a highlight was leading the effort to expand the city's Human Rights Ordinance. I always enjoyed being the guy who signed the St. Pete Pride Proclamation. Mayor Baker was never comfortable with it, but it was an honor for me. I spearheaded the city’s efforts to become more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, with my efforts culminating in the implementation of those “countdown crosswalk” signals you see around the city. Fighting for “government in the sunshine” meant a lot to me. I was responsible for putting city meetings online. For some strange reason, it took years to get the support to do so.

I may be most proud of casting the deciding vote on the sale of city-owned property in Hernando County. As a result my vote, the property was permanently dedicated by the State of Florida as preservation land, and the city was able to set up an endowment fund from the sale proceeds, which have been used to provide greater recreational and park amenities, including the building of five dog parks, two skateboard parks, and the renovation and expansion of the Gisella Kopsik Palm Arboretum, all at no expense to taxpayers.

Why did you make the jump from City Council to State Representative?    

I’m careful not to do things just because they are a logical next step, but this particular decision was an easy one. I had a long involvement with District 53 and West St. Pete before running for the seat, starting with managing former Rep. Lars Hafner’s campaign in the late 80s. After serving 6 good years on council, I felt I was the best person to take on the bigger issues that the Florida Legislature addresses.

Who were some of your early political influences in American politics?  What about on the world stage?  

When I was growing up, I loved reading books about Abraham Lincoln. His leadership at difficult times, and the positions he took during those times, were inspirational to me. I also have been influenced by both John and Bobby Kennedy. Last, but not least, was Martin Luther King, Jr.  What a brilliant man he was. On the world stage, Golda Meier and Ghandi have had an influence on me.

What politicians influence you now?  Are there political ideas from non-traditional sources that influence you?

I strive to be an ‘ideas’ guy. This was something I learned during my involvement with the Democratic Leadership Council. For me, the DLC wasn’t about dividing the Democratic Party and having a separate strategy and message – it was about having ideas that appeal to people across the political spectrum. The DLC publishes a local playbook of ideas, and some of the things I learned from that playbook have made their way into law in both St. Petersburg and in Florida. One example is Service Learning. SL integrates community service into a classroom curriculum, and vice versa. This was something I learned about from former Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend of Maryland, and brought the idea to Florida. It’s now law.

There’s not a single current politician that I follow or aspire to be like – I just hope to cut my own little path.

What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about how politics and campaigns work?

I guess the most “surprising” thing I’ve learned about campaigns is how much more difficult it is to ask for money for yourself than it is to ask for money for someone else.  I found it easy to raise money for Joe Lieberman and John Kerry and Barack Obama.  I find it much more difficult to raise money for myself.  I also find it surprising how it is much easier to ask for contributions from strangers or acquaintances than to ask for money from family or longtime friends.  

Having said that, what is most disappointing is the role that money plays, not only in elections, but in government in general.

What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about how government works that perhaps you didn’t know before?

On the state level, one thing I’ve learned is that it sometimes takes years to make good things happen, but bad things seem to happen overnight. It also doesn’t seem to matter how good the policy is, instead, it seems to only matter which party is putting the policy forward.  I’m also constantly surprised, though I shouldn’t be, by how shameless some legislators can be. There are a lot of times when I think to myself “They just don’t care” about the public’s opinion. Senate Bill 6 and the Oil drilling constitutional amendment are the most recent examples.

This election year looks to be contentious.  Is there any sense in this political cycle that we will get away from some of the nasty, personal pettiness and move on to the issues that matter?

No. And unfortunately, it seems to be getting worse. I’ve been in elected office for almost 10 years. This will be the 5th time my name has been on the ballot, and I’ve yet to pay for or approve a negative mail piece, or have one sent on my behalf. Even when hit pieces have gone out against me, I’ve stayed on message and continued a positive campaign. I don’t see a great benefit in negative mailers and prefer to focus on the issues at hand. My experience is that voters prefer it that way. I wish others felt the same way.

What issues translate for you from a national level to a local level, as you look at what people in District 53 are talking about?

I think my constituents share the concerns of most of America – they want the economy to improve and they want a better education system for their kids, which also happens to be an economic issue. There are some issues that matter on the periphery, things like clean energy, the environment, and oil drilling, and issues relating to equality and fairness. But when you’re hurting financially and both your child and their school are receiving poor grades, you don’t care too much about anything else. I think this is true around the country.

After serving a couple of terms, are you still able to bring a fresh perspective, or has the process jaded you somewhat?

It’s natural to get jaded, especially throughout the course of a session, and especially as a Democrat. By Day 60, you’re really fed up and beat up. You feel disillusioned because for 60 days you’ve seen a broken government up close. But then I come home, take a deep breath, and prepare to fight again. The idea of passing quality legislation or helping kill bad legislation keeps me going, as does knowing that I’m giving people a voice. It’s still an honor to know that people have entrusted me to look after their interests.

If you were the King of Florida – or even just the Governor – what would be the first things you change for the better?  

Everything changes for the better if we pass sweeping campaign finance laws, which means abolishing the 527s, ECOs, CCEs, etc. Less money and influence will equate to better policies. From there, I’d have a bit of a laundry list, starting with public education reform, the closing of outdated tax exemptions and the closing of corporate tax loopholes, the creation of a new economic engine through clean energy, and allowing gay couples to adopt. I’d also pay more attention to how we’re treating our elders in this state. Right now, a nursing home resident on Medicaid receives a $35 a month allowance, among the lowest in the nation and unchanged for 23 years now. This needs to be addressed immediately.

Looking ahead five, ten, even twenty years ahead, what are some things that Florida needs to do now to make it the kind of place you’ll want to continue to raise your children?

It’s time for legislative leadership in Florida to decide what its priorities are and provide adequate funding to address those priorities. Personally, I believe education should be at the top of the list.  But to fix our broken educational system will take more than just funding; there must be the political courage to address the root problems in the system. Parental involvement, discipline in the classroom, competent teachers who are supported by administration, and adequate support staff – all of these issues must be included in any education reform initiative.  If we fix education in this state, we provide the economic engine needed to attract new businesses, employ people in high paying jobs, and change our state’s current disastrous path. Our state government must also do more in the way of long term planning. Local government does long term planning very well. Tallahassee – not so well.  Because there is no real long term planning taking place, decisions are made which, in the long term, often cost the state more money. These are merely two things which must take place here in Florida.

# # # #

Rep. Kriseman was good enough to have me at his house for a one-on-one, on-camera interview.  When I walked in, his aide, Kevin King, immediately took me to the attic, which was less than ten degrees warmer than the rest of the house.  There is a thick spray of insulation coating the entire inside of the roof.  And that's just one of the remarkable things about their "green" house.  The Kriseman House is truly amazing.  You can watch Kriseman give a tour of their house: Part I, Part II, Part III, and I thank him for having me over.

In our interview, we covered a range of topics -- everything from the oil disaster to the environment to state politics to local politics.  Rep. Kriseman seemed to enjoy the interview.  I certainly enjoyed asking the questions.  Hope you enjoy watching.

# # # #

It was an honor to interview and write about Representative Kriseman.  I want to sincerely thank him once again, along with Kevin King and David Flintom for their time and effort.  Don't forget -- you can read Part I of our interview here. 

I hope you'll support Rick Kriseman for State House. 

Profile & Interview: My Neighborhood Politician... the Rise of Rick Kriseman Part I

There are rays of hope, wonderful people who care a lot and are fighting like hell for good ideas. People like St. Pete state Rep. Rick Kriseman, a voice of sanity in a GOP-goofball-dominated Florida Legislature. — Wayne Garcia, Creative Loafing, September 2, 2009

The first time I met State Representative Rick Kriseman, a Democrat from District 53, was 2007 and I was celebrating my first wedding anniversary.  I was in Tallahassee to see Duncan, who was totally immersed in the legislative session with her boss, also newly-elected Representative Keith Fitzgerald, a Sarasota Democrat from the 69th District.

Duncan and I were at a pretty nice Asian-fusion restaurant and in came Rick along with his wife Kerry, joining his legislative aide, Kevin King and Kevin's girlfriend (now his wife) Karis.  I should say Rick was wheeled in.  He'd been playing softball on a lovely spring day and had broken his leg on a hard run to first.  It was a severe break.  The leg was held completely straight and ridged as he sat upright in the wheelchair, and it looked profoundly uncomfortable.

Poor Rick, Duncan said, we should say hi.

We approached their table and chatted with them for a short time.  Rick looked to be tired and in not an inconsiderable amount of pain, though it was hard to tell which was more painful, the broken leg or negotiating the contentious legislative session.

Though not new to politics, 2007 was Kriseman's first legislative session as a State Representative.  It was a difficult session -- and it would not be his last. 

Representative and Mrs. Kriseman greeted us warmly -- he and Keith have become close over the course of their legislative careers -- as did Kevin and Karis.  It was an interesting dynamic.  First, Duncan will hardly ever be the one to initiate contact.  She's more likely to hold back, especially during something like, say, our anniversary dinner.

Second, I was struck by how together Kriseman seemed to be.  He and I only chatted for a few brief minutes, but he was warm and engaging, animated and quick.  You'd expect this in any good politician, but the fact that he was probably very uncomfortable, if not in considerable pain, made it all the more impressive. 

I've since found Representative Kriseman to be exactly all of those things, and more so since his leg has healed.  But Kriseman also represents what is possibly a new generation -- and a new character -- of politician emerging in Florida (and possibly nation-wide; you could argue Obama fits this mold): the down-to-earth, accessible, everyman politician.  I like to call these politicians "neighborhood politicians," because they are the people who live near you.  Down the road, around the corner.  You see them at the grocery store, at the pizza place, at Blockbuster, at the gas station.  They are a living, breathing connection between the life you live and the complicated, often difficult-to-interpret politics which affects it every day. 

This first installment of the Profile & Interview focuses on Representative Kriseman's personal life.  As a new father who is relatively new to the area, I was curious to hear what life was like for him when he was young, and what kept him here.  I was heartened by his answers, and believe they support my idea of a what I like to call a neighborhood politician.   

Following is the first half of what I hope may be more Profile & Interview pieces.  In the coming days, I'll post the second half of Representative Kriseman's Profile & Interview, including a video session in which we'll discuss some policy issues affecting District 53, Florida, and America.

# # # #  

When and where were you born? 

I was born in Detroit in 1962, moved here in 1972 when I was 9 years old.

What are your parent’s names?  What did your parents do for a living?  Do you have siblings?

My dad, Donald “Danny” Kriseman, started his own business, Modern Wholesale Hardware, and at the time he sold the business, it was a city block long and was located in Pinellas Park. My mom, Doris Abramsohn Kriseman, was a homemaker. However, as a hobby, she wrote music. I have one sibling, a sister Nancy, who lives in Atlanta.  She is a licensed Social Worker with an advanced specialty in Gerontology. Aside from the time she spends counseling families who are dealing with an aging parent, she also trains nursing home staffers on how to better communicate with their patients utilizing a technique she wrote about in her book “The Caring Spirit”.

What was life like growing up in St. Petersburg?

I attended public school at Pasadena Elementary, Azalea Middle, and Boca Ciega High School. This was a great community to grow up in, and for that reason, many of the kids I went to school with, like myself, have remained and are raising their own families here.

You went to U.F. and studied broadcasting.  What was the draw?

I have always loved music, and my initial thought was that broadcasting would provide me with a vehicle to earn a living while continuing to enjoy my love of music. After working in the profession for a short period of time, I soon discovered that with the job came the requirement to work nights, weekends and holidays, and at the time, the idea of doing so was not appealing to me.

How long have you been married – how did you meet Kerry? 

I have been married to my wife for 18 years this November.  While we “technically” met in a bar (the former “Beach Nutts” on Treasure Island), of the two jobs she was working at the time when I met her, one of the jobs was in a bank as a teller. It happened to be the same bank where I had my personal accounts. So while we formally introduced ourselves to each other at the bar, we had seen each other before in the bank.

Tell us something about your children, Jordan and Samuel. When you’re home, do you talk much about what’s happening in Tallahassee?

My daughter Jordan is the oldest.  She has just turned 13 and is in 7th grade at Shorecrest Prepatory School. My son Samuel is 7, and is in 2nd grade at Shorecrest.  Jordan, who recently celebrated her Bat Mitzvah, has been engaged in a service project for the past year. Her project, which has involved the whole family, has been raising a service dog for Southeastern Guide Dogs.  She also has been doing Irish Step Dancing for the past 6 years and has competed in National competitions. Samuel has been taking Karate at Ron Schnell’s Superkicks in South Pasadena for the past 3 years. In addition to Karate, Samuel’s other passion, besides reading non-fiction books, is golf.

When I’m home, I try not to talk about politics or what has been happening in Tallahassee, as I do need some down time where I can focus solely on my wife and kids.  However, my wife and kids are very interested in what I do and what is going on in Florida, so despite my best efforts, political discussions are a common occurrence in the Kriseman household.

Talk a little bit about what inspired you to get started in politics/elected office when you did.  What first brought your attention to politics and government? 

I first got involved in politics in 1986 when a longtime friend from high school decided he was going to run for office and asked me to be his campaign manager.  He had never run for office before, and I had never managed a campaign before, so it was perfect.  Unfortunately, we were not successful that time, however, two years later, my friend Lars Hafner successfully defeated the incumbent Dottie Sample, and served in that position for 12 years until term limits ended his term.  I also served as a founding board member of the Tampa Bay Democratic Leadership Council.  It was during my time on this board that I first entertained thoughts of running for office. My first attempt was in 1999 when I challenged St. Petersburg City Councilmember Bob Kersteen.  I lost that race, but was soon appointed to serve on the city’s Nuisance Abatement Board.  While serving on that board, Councilmember Kersteen resigned his seat to run for the State House seat being vacated by the termed-out Rep. Lars Hafner.  In December 2000, I applied for and was appointed to serve as the City Councilman for District 1.  In 2001 I ran for reelection and did so again successfully in 2003.  From the time I first ran through my service in the Florida House, my goal has always been to be thoughtful and a voice of reason.

# # # #

This interview and profile is the first of a two-part series.  In our second part, we will feature a more in-depth discussion of politics and policy, as well as an accompanying video interview. 

It was an honor to interview and write about Representative Kriseman.  I thank him and Kevin King for their openness, availability, and honesty. 

Please support Rick Kriseman for State House.