Staff Writer
Legislation changes, dealing with schedules and relaying messages are just some of the duties assistants and secretaries of legislative members face on a daily basis, but communication isn’t always simple.
“It can be crazy and chaotic when they are in session,” said Brandy Wright, secretary to State Rep. Audrey Gibson. “You just have to plan time (to meet with representatives) when you can.”
When a staff member and a legislator can’t find face-to-face time, in come the newer ways to stay up-to-date: cell phones, e-mails and text messages.
“It’s hard to imagine how they did this” before, said Larry Williams, legislative assistant to State Rep. Janet Adkins. “Today we use everything available to us.”
Williams frequently keeps Adkins up-to-date about committee meetings and measures via text messages when he can’t tell her directly. When she’s in committee meetings, he’ll use another method.
“The ‘Batphone,’” he said, referring to the silent flashing phones in meeting rooms that alert members of important calls.
State Rep. Jennifer Carroll and her assistant, Michelle Fowler, recently began texting each other important information, even with the character limitations. Added up, some days Fowler sees Carroll less than an hour to brief her about schedules and updates. The numerous two- to three-minute intervals they do converse are often done while walking.
“We have to work with them,” said Fowler. “Appointments go long, things change constantly.”
Fowler worked under former State Representative and current Duval County Tax Collector Mike Hogan when he served, and they scheduled sit-down times to review and preview the session’s happenings, but Fowler and Carroll haven’t been afforded the same luxury because of time constraints.
“Her schedule is so insane,” said Fowler.
That makes their newfound texting relays and sprint chats all the more important.
When all else fails or the issue is important enough, there’s always the old-fashioned way to grab attention.
“You can’t always plan time,” said Wright. “Sometimes I just have to walk in and pull her (Gibson) out of a meeting for a minute if something is going on.”
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