Lobbyist Bill Hussey
Only the more ‘seasoned’ readers will remember savings and loan associations. They were like banks that specialized in home loans, and during the Golden Years of the Florida Legislature, were represented by one of the Capitol’s best liked lobbyists, Bill Hussey. Bill is a proud FSU graduate, and was kind to purchase my book, The Golden Years…The Florida Legislature, ’70′s and ’80′s, on the era. Like so many outstanding lobbyists, Bill did not expect members to always vote with him on financial institution issues, but he did ask that you listen to his members’ positions. I always made a point to listen to Bill and voted with him more often than not. Bill Hussey was a credit to his profession.
Representative Jim Eckhart (D., Miami)*
Jim and I were elected together in 1974 and served along side each other in the Florida House of Representatives for a number of years. Jim was a very smart attorney with a Coral Gables practice, but was a very low key lawmaker. Over the years, his interest gravitated to agriculture issues, which were of paramount importance to our South Dade County multi-member legislative district. After his retirement from the legislature, Jim went to work for Agriculture Commissioner Doyle Connor in Tallahassee for many years. We lost Jim a few years ago, but I will always remember him as a wonderful colleague and a rock solid Floridian.
Senate President John Vogt (R., Cocoa Beach)*
By all accounts, newly elected Senator John Vogt of Brevard County in 1972 was a potential star in the Democratic Party. He was a bright University of Florida graduate in engineering from Lake Wales, active in the Young Democrats, and with family lineage in Florida politics. With my election to the House of Representatives in 1974 and the Senate in 1978, I found myself working very closely with John on issues affecting social services and the environment. About the time of my retirement in 1982, John was being courted by Senate strongman Dempsey Barron (and John and my opponent) to become Senate President. John acquiesced to Barron and served as Senate President as well as switched parties to run as a Republican for Congress. The Senator is one of those about whom you can’t help but wonder, “What if…?”
Lobbyist Ron LaFace
We lost Ron over the weekend, and all who knew and worked with him are deeply saddened–I am so proud to have been one. Ron was one of the most gregarious and approachable lobbyists in the Capitol. Susan and our family were fortunate to be house guests with his family, and I can say I was always so comfortable in his presence. Ron was very bright and one of the most knowledgeable lobbyists, especially in representing my constituents at Wometco Enterprises in Miami and the Wolfson family. Ron’s first law firm assignment was at the prestigious downtown Miami law firm, Walton Lantaff, with a fellow young lawyer named Richard Pettigrew (you may recall he went on to become a legendary Florida Speaker of the House of Representatives). Ron set quite a standard for lobbyists today–I only hope his leadership will be emulated.
Lobbyists H.G. Cochran and Buddy Gridley
H.G. and Buddy represented the beer industry and, no surprise here, they were among the most popular lobbyists in the Capitol. Seldom a week went by without legislators bellowing over the where abouts of the “Beer Fairy,” in the halls of the Old and New Capitol. The issues affecting the alcohol industry were controversial and many–from age restrictions, to litter concerns, to recycling, and probably most important to the beer industry, to sources of local taxes. In all cases I can recall, both H.G. and Buddy were professional with reasoned responses to legislators. Buddy is of counsel to the industry today, and few have had such a positive on lawmaking as H.G. Cochran and Buddy Gridley.
Senate Counsel Steve Kahn
During the Senate Presidency of W. D. Childers (D., Pensacola), legal Counsel Steve Kahn became a major player in Florida lawmaking. His astute counsel was even more evident because of the President’s close relationship with Pensacola attorney Fred Levin and the continuing battle between Childers and the powerful Senate Dean, Dempsey Barron (D., Panama City). Add to all that intrigue, was the fact that 1982 was a reapportionment session, with the Senate representation for another decade riding on many of the decisions. As Chairman of the Senate Health and Rehabilitative Services Committee (“HRS”) and the funding Subcommittee on HRS and Corrections (one of only two Senators to ever chair both at the same time), I found myself in contact with Steve more than normal. I found him to be sagacious, calm and very reassuring. Florida was well served by the legal leadership of Senate Counsel Steve Kahn.
U. S. Senator Dick Stone (D., Miami)
Senator Dick Stone is largely by-passed today when talking about the Golden Era of Florida politics, even though he held some of the highest offices in the state at the time. I first met the Senator when I was campaigning for the House of Representatives, like he, from Miami. He had won election to the State Senate in the big class of 1966, and won election state wide as Secretary of State in the early ’70′s. He won his election to the U.S. Senate with high promise, but was overly identified to his discredit, with many of the Republican leaders at the time. Although his name has cropped up now and then for service as a Washington lobbyist or as minor counsel to Presidents, his contributions have gone largely unnoticed. He is, like more than you would expect from the Golden Era, a talent positioned to do great things for this country–but didn’t.
Representative Bill Sadowski (D., Miami)*
We lost Bill to a tragic airplane crash during the first term of the Chiles-MacKay Administration. It was such a tragic and emotional loss–bright and articulate public servant, wonderful family man, likable across both sides of the isle and a proud Floridian. Bill was from Miami and took his law degree from the University of Florida with honors. He served as an aide to his long time friend, former Representative Sandy D’Alemberte (D., Miami) and won his seat in the Florida House of Representatives in 1976, during my second term in the House. Bill was an unabashed liberal, which most of his colleagues understood and accepted. He was very principled and firm in his convictions. What a role model he would be today for public servants.
Dr. Jim Zingale; Executive Director, Florida Department of Revenue
Senator Jack Gordon (D., Miami Beach) introduced me to Dr. Jim Zingale, the noted state economist and tax expert in the late 1970′s. Jim was staff to the Senate at the time, and not surprisingly moved on to an outstanding career in state government, ultimately rising to the vaulted position as Executive Director of the Florida Department of Revenue. Jim was unusual in that he had a wonderful personality and a very quick wit–seldom found in career public servants. Jim’s strong professional credentials kept him in good stead, whether his bosses–the Florida Cabinet–were Republican or Democrat. But, Jim was not afraid to confront difficult assignments, ranging from collecting overdue payments as well as forecasting Florida’s tumultuous revenue for budgeting by the legislature.
Admiral Phil Ashler (D., Pensacola)*
Phil Ashler earned a number of titles–Florida Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshall, Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce, elected member of the Florida House of Representatives from Escambia County, but the title he preferred was that of Admiral in the United States Navy. Phil entered the political scene in Florida in the 1960′s when elected along side a fellow member of the Florida House of Representatives, Reubin Askew. Both with military backgrounds, they bonded quickly, and Governor Askew later appointed the Admiral to the Florida Cabinet in the 1970′s. I worked with Admiral Ashler during my public service in the legislature, but also in the 2000′s as he was a distinguished board member of a national corporation, of which I served as an officer. We lost the Admiral a few years ago, but his mark as a gentleman, scholar and proud military man will always be in our memories of him.
Representative Fred Lippman (D., Hollywood)*
During the late 1980′s there were few lawmakers in Tallahassee as powerful as Representative Fred Lippman of Hollywood. He helped engineer the uphill battle to elect fellow Broward County Representative Tom Gustafson (D., Ft. Lauderdale) Speaker of the House of Representative, and with that came almost unbridled power. I worked with him on the landmark legislation created by the Health Care Commission I chaired from 1982-84. I first met Fred while interviewing for the pharmacist screening endorsement in South Florida–Fred was a long time and very successful pharmacist in Hollywood. After being elected himself in 1978, Fred teamed up with his Broward colleague, Senator Ken Jenne (D., Hollywood) to form a blockbuster tandem advancing progressive issues.
Representative Ed Healy (D., West Palm Beach)*
Ed and I were elected together to the Florida House of Representatives in 1974. I always considered him a ‘throw back’ to a John Kennedy Democrat–bright, personable with a liberal bent. Representative Healy had a successful insurance practice in downtown West Palm Beach and was very popular with his elderly constituents. I had the pleasure of working with him on social issues, from mental health care to care for the elderly. Ed took a break from the legislative process after his initial several terms and returned to provide outstanding service some 20 years later. Ed Healy passed on while still serving his second separate terms, and was honored by his colleagues in the Legislature, with state flags flown at half staff, prior to burial. He served his constituents long and well.
Layton Mayor Del Layton
Parked on the U. S. Highway 1 Overseas Highway between Marathon and Key West sat a police car with the logo of the City of Layton on it The police car was parked immediately in front of Layton City Hall. The town was incorporated by wealthy investor and Keys’ landowner, Del Layton. The Mayor of Layton–you guessed it, was Del Layton. Mayor Layton was an active Democrat during my service and representation in the Keys (1078-82) as a member of the Florida Senate. Several outstanding restaurants in Layton were known for their world famous key lime pie.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson*
The Senior Senator from Florida, Bill Nelson and I served together in the Florida House of Representatives from 1974-1978. Our families become good friends earlier in that time span, spending some weekends together at the beach in Cocoa Beach and canoeing on many of the beautiful tributaries in North Florida. Susan and I hosted several fund raisers for Bill and Grace in both Miami and Vero Beach. He has served with great distinction in the Florida House of Representatives, the U.S. Congress, The Florida Cabinet as Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshall, and the U.S. Senate, for almost 40 years. Bill is a man of great faith in God and totally dedicated to public service.
Lobbyist Jim Woodruff
Jim was the highly respected lawyer and lobbyist for Tampa Electric Company (“TECO”). He had the enviable combination of brains and personality, and as expected, was at the center of all energy issues in the legislature during the Golden Era of the ’70′s and ’80′s. He and his wife Patsy often entertained Susan and me in Tallahassee as well as in their hometown of Tampa. Jim epitomized the important role of the lobbyist–be available, a truthful source of information, and supportive of a legislator’s position when they can. You will notice that I said nothing about campaign financial contributions–to my knowledge Jim never gave me any nor did I seek any from him. When is the last time you heard that statement from a legislator?
Representative Dixie Sansom (R., Merritt Island) and Lobbyist Jerry Sansom
I began working with commercial fishing lobbyist Jerry Sansom shortly after Speaker Don Tucker (D., Tallahassee) appointed me to the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources. I did not always vote with Jerry, but I found him to always be available, helpful and a major information resource on fishing the waters of Florida. It was during a field visit aboard a commercial fishing boat with Jerry in the middle Keys, after being elected to the Florida Senate and again appointed to the Natural Resources Committee, that I met his wife, Dixie. She was an accomplished reporter and very savvy about Florida politics. As you can see from her title above, Dixie went on to serve with great distinction in the Florida House of Representatives, representing Brevard County, after I left the legislature in 1982. The Sansoms are a family making major contributions to their state in the finest traditions of public service.
Miami Dolphin Karl Noonan *
I met Karl in the real estate business in the early 90′s in Miami. We formed a real estate syndication company for group purchases of improved real estate–primarily apartment buildings. Karl, as my sports fan readers know, Karl was a consensus Associated Press All American end from the University of Iowa who went on to become an All Pro receiver for Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese and the Miami Dolphins. Karl was very kind to support my political campaigns and helped draw attention to me when few noticed. Karl continues in business, primarily in North Carolinainvestments. I often kidded him saying the wrong guy ran for office–I think Karl would have been as popular in public office as his former teammate and my chairmate on the floor of the Senate from 1978-1982, Dick Anderson.
Senator David McClain (R., Tampa)*
Senator David McClain followed his late father into the Senate in 1970, representing Tampa as a Republican when there were very few. I had a chance to get to know him and work with him on the Senate Committee on Health and Rehabilitative Services and Appropriations Subcommittee “C,” funding heath care and the criminal justice system. David was very smart and yet cunning in that he left the impression that he was distant and not following the debate. Over the years, I found him to be very supportive of many issues in the areas of disabilities and mental health, and when we did disagree, we agreed to it in advance. I had a pleasant ‘catch up with you’ chat with David at the recent Senate reunion in the Capitol. He is yet another example of a strongly partisan Republican Senator conducting himself in a civil and productive manner about issues with an equally partisan Democratic Senator, during an earlier time in Florida politics. Senator McClain is a friend and served his Tampa district with distinction.
Lobbyist Dick Jones
Dick was one of the most popular lobbyists in the Capitol during the Golden Years of the ’70′s and ’80′s. He represented Florida Power and Light Company after a successful career in politics and the automobile industry. He and his wife, Pat, hosted legislators every year at their wonderful Northeast Tallahassee home, and some of the Session’s most important bills were often resolved right in their residence. Dick passed a few years ago, and as expected, the Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee was packed with Dick’s old friends and some of the most powerful politicians from both the Florida and Washington Capitols. His civility and sense of humor will always be his lobbying hallmark.
Lobbyist Dick McFarland
Dick has an outstanding, but very straight faced sense of humor. I remember one committee meeting when he was ably representing the Florida Bar Association but became faced with an unexpected tough question and quipped back to a Senator, “Sir, in responding to your important question, I feel like I am standing on a slab of granite rock with my foot firmly placed on a slippery banana peel.” He said this without even cracking a smile. Dick has been a mainstay in the Capitol for many years commanding the attention of the lawmakers, especially those of greater intellect. One more recent client of his has been the Florida State University, which has needed a barrister of his elk to navigate the Gator infested halls of the Capitol. As you can tell, Dick has always been a favorite lobbyist of mine over his many years of service.
W. Dexter Douglass, Esquire
Dexter Douglass is an attorney’s attorney. Most jurists recognize the former General Counsel to the late Florida Democratic Governor Lawton Chiles, legal counsel to the legendary 2000 presidential vote count (representing Vice President Al Gore) and in one of Florida’s highest profile indictments, representing former Florida Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mallory Horne against the Federal government. I worked with Dexter when we were both on the staff of Governor Chiles in the early ’90′s. Although his brilliance was apparent, even for a non lawyer like me, I was most impressed with his down home personality. He grew up in the south and graduated with honors from the University Florida School of Law. Dexter is still active in providing legal and political counsel to public figures who are smart enough to seek it.
Representative Elaine Bloom (D., Miami Beach)*
Elaine had the distinction of winning and re-winning election to the Florida House of Representatives with some 30 odd years in between. She and I were first elected in 1974–she upsetting incumbent Representative George Baumgartner of North Miami. Elaine was singled out in her first term by Speaker Don Tucker as a possible running mate if he ran for Governor in 1978, as was widely expected. With many members of the Dade Delegation at odds with the Speaker, Elaine became somewhat ostracized and had a difficult couple of years in the House. When Tucker decided to seek an appointment by President Carter to the Federal Government, Elaine decided to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator George Firestone (D., Miami). Although she was the choice of the lobbyists in Tallahassee, her opponent, Representative Paul Steinberg (D., Miami Beach) out worked her in the Miami Beach condominiums and he won the seat. She came back to the House in the 2000′s.
Representative Gwen Cherry (D., Miami)*
Gwen was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1970. I first met her in 1972 while I was campaigning for a House Seat. She was very friendly and seemed most interested in children’s and mental health issues, both of which were of interest to me. After I got elected, I did not have a chance to work with Gwen before she died in a tragic automobile accident in the late 70′s near Doak Campbell Stadium at the Florida State University. She was memorialized in the House of Representatives and her name is still recognized today as one of the leaders of the woman’s movement and African-American issues. She was a lawyer, professor, and skilled legislator who was lost way too soon in her promising professional career.
Senate Secretary Joe Brown
Few outside the legislature understand the critical importance of their staff. I have previously profiled Dr. Allen Morris and his Emeritus Clerk of the House Colleague, John Phelps, two of the best administrators with whom I have worked. In the Senate, I worked with another of my profilees, the powerful Howard Walton. At the same time, the Secretary of the Senate was rock solid and hard working Joe Brown. The Secretary was always available for either big or small, simple or complex challenges of any of the Senators, regardless of party affiliation. Joe retired a
A Special Florida Family*
Senator Randolph Hodges (D., Cedar Key) served as Senate President during the delicate and critical transition of control of the Florida politics by the Pork Chop Gang (of which he was a proud member) to the new, urban, and progressive legislators of the Golden Era (’70′s and ’80′s). President Hodges was followed into public office by his son and former Judge, State Representative Gene Hodges (D., Cedar Key)–one of the best liked members of the legislature, during my tenure. One of Gene’s sisters married Don Duden, who went on to assume the number two position in the Florida Department of Natural Resources. All in all, the Hodges family was special in Florida political history and to my family as well.
Health and Rehabilitative Services Secretary Ollie Keller
Most would have described the Senate Confirmation hearings on Governor Reubin Askew’s selection of Health and Rehabilitative Secretary Ollie Keller in 1976 as the “Battle of the Titans.” That is because the President of the Senate was Askew’s long time colleague and the Dean of the Senate, Dempsey Barron, who strongly opposed the appointment of Keller. Askew, a former U.S. Army Paratrooper, was not known for running from a fight, so it was “Prime Time,” in the Florida Capitol. Barron won and Keller stepped down from head of the mammoth agency to take a teaching job at the University of Florida.
University of Miami President Tad Foote*
Tad Foote followed a legendary University of Miami President, Dr. Henry King Stanford (profiled in an earlier Quorum Call), but certainly held his own as a visionary President of the acclaimed University in my legislative district. Tad married the daughter of former Arkansas Senator J. William Fulbright, so he had access and connections at the highest levels of government. But after being named the head of one of the country’s leading private universities, he set a course for even greater academic excellence. President Foote was very kind to name me to the UM School of Business Visiting Committee, so I had a chance to witness the University growth first hand. The only blemish on his record was the sometimes out of control athletic program, which ironically, led to several football national championships. But, all in all, Tad Foote was an outstanding president at the “U.”
U. S. Senator Paula Hawkins
Senator Paula Hawkins was dubbed, “The little old lady from Maitland,” after a turbulent but brief career on the Florida Public Service Commission. She defeated a good friend, former Senator Gerald Lewis to win a Public Service Commission seat, and that upset convinced her that no election was out of her reach–that was until 1986, when she was defeated by two term Governor and immensely popular Bob Graham. Senator Hawkins was not terribly effective in Washington, but she was colorful and unpredictable, which made her fun to cover for the press. I met the Senator on a number of occasions, but her comments and observations to me were not notable.
Judge Bill Gladstone
I first met the Judge at a Board Meeting of the Miami Mental Health Association. He stood out as an obvious intellectual and Susan and I went on to become good friends with he and his wife, Marilyn. Bill ran for a new seat on the Circuit Court with his eye on the family court in 1972, and won. Judge Gladstone went on to an outstanding career on the Bench, forcing people’s eyes open on the unmentionable blights in disadvantaged families. When I was in the Legislature, I felt Judge Gladstone’s wrath for the pitiful level of funding for mental health services in Florida. He was a provocative thinker who did not shy away from a fight. It is said so often, but is really true with Judge Bill Gladstone, ‘Boy could we use him today.’
Secretary of Commerce Bill Sutton*
In Miami, the Sutton name is both recognized and respected. Judge Ruth Sutton and the former Secretary of Commerce Bill Sutton are perhaps the best known members of the family. Bill is a career banker and one of the best, rising to the presidency of the Florida Bankers Association. I first met Bill through the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and subsequently worked with him on Governor Chile’s Recycling Business Ventures program (as reported in a previous post to this Blog) as well as an advisor to my employer, Fringe Benefits Management Company in Tallahassee. Bill ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Congress from Tallahassee, but remains active in business and political affairs.
Sarasota Tax Collector Barbara Ford Coates*
I have had the good fortune of meeting and working with public sector employees all the way from the President to Governors, Senators and to entry level clerks. One of the very best public employees I have gotten to know and work with is the Honorable Barbara Ford Coates, long time Tax Collector from Sarasota County
One Comment on "Quorum Call"
Robert:
Can’t argue with any of these entries! The late Paul Rodgers was one of my very first TV interviews back in 1976 and he remains, to my mind, one of the most genteel and articulate advocates Congress has ever had.
Art