Later in the day we met with our area representative, Marti Coley. Rep. Coley was gracious enough to meet with us personally (Sen. Gaetz delegated his receptionist to meet with us). She listened to each of us speak about our opposition to drilling off our coast, and ask that she support targets for renewable energy consumption. Rep. Coley seemed determined to straddle the fence -- expressing concerns about the military impact of drilling, sand acknowledging the overwhelming opposition to drilling voiced by the citizens of District 7. However, she also spoke of the need for jobs in the interior parts of the district and the hope drilling might create jobs. We reminded Rep. Coley that the top producer of wood stove pellets in the country, Green Circle, is located in Cottondale and that the company has said it would build a second plant and double the number of jobs it provides her district if Florida had renewable energy targets in place. Finally, an area business leader repeated his request that as a coastal representative, Rep. Coley help lead the fight to protect our shores against oil drilling. I have to say this for Marti Coley ? she is forthright in a way I find refreshing in a politician. She said that she would never become a crusader against drilling, because the incoming leadership was championing the drilling bill, and if she did go against Dean Cannon she would, ?lose her seat at the table.? She wanted to be involved in the inner circle, so she would be able to have some influence what is included in the bill.
The concept of that seat at the table is what I left Tallahassee thinking about. At first, there was part of me that could relate to the need to not stir things up, to be nice and hope to be able to play some quiet role in the process. As a woman who spent years working in a department of men, in a division made up of men, in a corporation run mostly by men, I know the value of being a team player. Sometimes keeping quiet and smiling while gently trying to fend off the absolute worst of the worst ideas is the most effective role allotted to a woman in an old boys? club. Unfortunately, I cannot get past the second thought ? this woman is our elected representative. Does she not feel she has earned her seat at the table? Even if she gives voice to the will of the people of her district when they don?t agree with the incoming leadership, that seat belongs to her and she should be strong enough to insist leadership allow her room to do her job. A representative's seat at the table comes not from the largesse of Dean Cannon (R ? Winter Park), the man chosen to become Speaker of the House next year, but from the people of District 7 who elected her to office.
Senator Gaetz? seat at the table is not a prize for good behavior to be awarded by Mike Haridopolos (R - Melbourne), but the huge coastal constituency. District 4 stands to have it?s entire economy jeopardized if oil rigs are erected, as they would be clearly visible from the coast. A threat to our tourism-based economy is not only a threat to those who work in the tourist industry, but every person who works or does business in this area.
What I find unsettling is that our elected representatives would support party leadership that demands loyalty and silence in exchange for that seat at the table. Why are our democratically elected representatives to a deliberative body supporting Dean Cannon and Mike Haridopolos to be Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, respectively, when these men would deny them a seat at the table if they were to stand up and fight on behalf of their districts? How are these men fit for positions of leadership if they have so little respect for the constituents Rep. Coley and Sen. Gaetz represent?
