Page 34 - life-in-naples-march-2016

REFLECTIONS

on my 10 years in public office

by Senator Garrett Richter (aka Pop Pop)

I t was never on my “bucket list” to be elected to with values I admire that I otherwise would
public office. As I reflect on the past 10 years, not have met. My staff, Becky Kokkinos,
I’m also reflecting back over my lifetime to Sandy Mummert and Michael Nachef are
various meaningful pieces of advice I got from friends that I hold in the highest esteem.
my father. Early on, Dad told me that above all, “be They are compassionate, dependable, caring,

true unto yourself ” …. He told me that I didn’t have smart, hardworking and humble.They always

a good enough memory to lie. When I got my first go the extra mile to serve our constituents

job out of high school, a janitor at Mellon Bank, my and to achieve our goals. Their presence in

Dad told me to “dress for the job you want, not the job my life is extremely rewarding.

you have.” When I returned home from Vietnam, my The information I’ve been put in front of

Dad told me that the windshield is 100 times larger is another rewarding aspect of public service.

than the rear view mirror. He was proud of my military We never stop learning. Issues from health

service, but he let me know the future was ahead of me, care to the environment to the economy to property insurance to tort

not behind me. He suggested that I glance into the reform and on and on have been introduced to me for understanding.

rear view mirror from time to time to see where I’ve One of these issues, property insurance received special attention.

been but he encouraged me to focus on the windshield. In 2007, Governor Crist signed legislation that changed Citizens

And finally, he told me that a great recipe for life is to Property Insurance Company, the state owned (taxpayer owned)

…“Learn, Earn and Return.” insurer of last resort to become the insurer of first resort. This

After the sale of First National Bank of Florida resulted in Floridians owning a company that had over 1.5 million

I became obligated to a non-compete agreement. policyholders and over $500 billion in disaster exposure. I, along

Essentially, I was retired from banking after 36 with others, advanced legislation to expand the private market and

years. My friend, and a great public servant, Dudley return this insurance company to its intended role as the last resort

Goodlette was term limited out of the House of insurer. Today, the risk exposure to Floridians is down to $143 billion

Representatives. He suggested I consider running for and the policy count is below 500 thousand. By law, Citizens levies

his seat. To that end, I consulted with two close and assessments on Florida policyholders if it exhausts its ability to pay

savvy friends about public service. One told me that claims. In 2011, Florida policyholders faced a potential assessment

there are only two reasons people enter politics, they of $11.6 billion in the event of a 1-100 year storm. Because of those

either want to BE SOMETHING or they want to legislative initiatives, the risk of such an assessment was eliminated

DO SOMETHING. She said, “If you want to be in 2015.

something, go home and rethink it, but if you want to As I conclude my reflections on the past 10 years in the Florida

do something, go for it.” Her husband looked at me legislature, I have many blessings to count. My daughters blessed me

and said, “It sounds like you’re going to run and I’m with five wonderful, happy, healthy grandchildren. I much prefer to

confident you’ll be elected, my advice is after you’re be called “Pop Pop” than I do “Senator.” I am grateful for my wife,

elected, don’t drink the KOOL-AID.” Yes, there is a Diana. I’ve been fortunate that Diana has been able to join me on

kool-aid stand on every corner in Tallahassee and in this legislative journey. Diana travelled with me to Tallahassee each

Washington. I’ve tried to do my best to not drink the session. She provided her insights on various issues that were up for

kool-aid. consideration. She offered sound advice and support on the votes we

Learn, Earn and Return …. The learning is a faced. As we would jump from issue to issue, she was my stabilizer.

lifelong endeavor, the earning is important and the She always provided a well thought out response to the tough issues

returning is extremely rewarding. During my tenure and…She kept me off the KOOL-AID! Learn, Earn and Return…

in the legislature, I have met some of the finest people, what a wonderful recipe for life!

34 Life in Naples | March 2016