Massullo, Grow give Citrus a boost

This is one of my favorite selfies.

I was wandering lost through the Capitol one day, looking for Ralph Massullo’s office, when we ran into one another in the hallway

I wasn’t even on the right floor. I lose my way in that place so easily.

In a town not known for its warm fuzzies, Ralph is one of the good ones. A nice man. Works hard for his constituents, tries to get his bills passed, and brings home the Citrus County bacon.

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He’s also our new Senator. You may have missed that, considering an odd-numbered year special election rarely attracts much interest.

Here’s what happened: Our former Senator, Blaise Ingoglia, is now Chief Financial Officer. There was a special election and Ralph, our former House member, easily won.

Sen. Massullo joins Rep. JJ Grow to give us, in my humble opinion, just about the best one-two legislative punch we’ve ever had.

It’s not that I’d expect Massullo and Grow to pass huge life-changing legislation, or secure more than our usual allotment of budget money. That might happen, and very well could, but that’s not where I’m at today.

JJ is in his second year; Ralph, his first as Senator. Neither are big names in Tallahassee but look out. Let’s check back on that in the next year or two.

Politics at this level is very basic to me. Legislators deal with a lot of stuff that, frankly, is out of my league. I love writing for Florida Politics — that’s the gig of a lifetime — but I feel so incapable at times because I’m not a Capitol reporter.

So, my support for JJ and Ralph has little to do with stature, legislation, or their votes.

Nope. Much simpler.

They’re both good guys.

I met JJ some years ago when he and his wife, Jen, were opening a hunting lodge near Holder for wounded military veterans. I remember at the time thinking, who’s this guy? What a generous act. I started noticing the Grow name more often in community giving, particularly for kids involved in 4-H and FFA.

Stop by the barn at the county fair in March after the livestock sale. Each pen shows who bought the animal and for how much. JJ and Jen Grow’s names are everywhere.

Ralph is the same way. He and his late wife, Patty, pledged a sizable donation toward the new animal shelter. He shows up when the community asks.

On a more personal note, I credit Ralph for getting me slowly out in public in the weeks after Deb died, much as he had to do six months earlier with his wife’s passing. He’s solid in my book.

I’m not in Tallahassee much, but those who are tell me that JJ and Ralph have earned reputations for their honesty and ability to work well with others. I RARELY hear either of them speak poorly of political opponents, the other political party, or really anything at all, now that I think of it.

They make us look good. That hasn’t always been the case, you know. We’ve had some Reps, some Senators, whose egos far outweighed the needs of citizens. I cringe at those memories.

My philosophy on politicians has changed quite a bit over time. Character counts as much, or more, than their political views.

Our legislators carry to Tallahassee the spirit of their hometown, eager to do the best job they can, help their colleagues’ efforts as well, and continue to show why Citrus County is a community that means business.

And yeah, they'll fight like heck for their hometown. As they always have.

The Regular Session starts today. Let’s encourage great success for Rep. JJ Grow and Sen. Ralph Massullo. If they succeed, we succeed.

Have a terrific Tuesday, friends.

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