Growing into the job quite well

It’s Wednesday, so let’s talk a bit about Rep. JJ Grow.

That’s him in our photo on the left. You probably know the guy on the right, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.
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This photo was taken last year during JJ’s first Legislative Delegation meeting. Ingoglia was our state Senator at the time.

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We couldn’t have had two people more opposite representing us. One, a local kid proud to help the folks back home on a bigger stage. The other, um, not.

With Blaise moved up into the Cabinet, spreading DOGE cheer in the ways only he can, that leaves us temporarily with a Legislative Delegation of one.

When I sat down with JJ last summer for a Cattle Dog chat during his House District 23 campaign, we talked about the significance of knowing and understanding the community he would represent. 

That included a concept of how the county government fit into the totality of things.

Many lawmakers haven’t a clue how the county government operates, and that’s why they’re so quick to advocate such nonsense as getting rid of property taxes. Legislators don’t need property taxes, so nobody needs property taxes. That’s the lawmaker’s naive logic.

Since taking office, JJ has stayed in constant contact with county officials. His is a voice of calm, reason, a little bit of good-natured aw shucks, with a determination to succeed.

He’s also refreshingly frank.

Remember the Chassahowitzka Campground story? You know, how the Southwest Florida Water Management District decided to close the campground, declare it surplus, and sell it to the highest bidder?

And remember the outrage that followed? Negative editorials in the Tampa Bay newspapers, indignation all around, campers and kayakers protesting at Swiftmud headquarters.

Wait…you don’t remember that last part?

Oh yeah, it didn’t happen. That’s because JJ Grow stepped in.

Leaders have two choices in a crisis: Blame someone or take action. We’ve known numerous politicians over the years, some representing Citrus County, who had the finger-pointing part down to a science. Boy, they could raise the temperature in the room, no doubt.


When JJ heard of Swiftmud’s plans, he immediately jumped in. JJ is an outdoorsman. He believes nature should be enjoyed by young and old alike. He has personal memories of the Chassahowitzka campground, of fishing this river. JJ couldn’t stand the thought of this property closing.

He reached out to Swiftmud. He reached out to the county. He brought factions together for a dialogue. Before the first shot of rhetoric could be fired, JJ was already leading a workable solution. The crisis ended before it began.

Swiftmud will lease the campground to the county and will help with storm repairs. Expect the state to kick in as well.

You didn’t hear JJ crowing about this achievement. Instead, he barely mentions it. Passes the praise to Switmud and county people for working out an agreement.

(By the way, the first name? It’s JJ. I asked him. Not J.J.)

JJ was the guest speaker Friday at the Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. Refreshing, humorous, good-natured…and not a single over-the-top praise for the governor or attack on Democrats. In fact, he said some in his own leadership need a smack upside the head every so often.

He’s the lone wolf, but not for long. The Republican primary for the special Senate District 11 race is Sept. 30, with the election on Dec. 9. Barring an upset of Janet Barek proportions, Ralph Massullo should be our next Senator.

That’s a good team for Citrus County — JJ and Ralph. Not only can they get things done in Tallahassee, they give a rip about their neighbors back home.

That’s it for Wednesday. Have a great one, friends.

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