Staff Writer
Catching up with one’s local legislator during the session might seem a daunting task, but catching up with the Governor could be even tougher.
Gov. Charlie Crist stays active during the session juggling work and call time, taking appointments and attending functions in Tallahassee and around the state.
Unlike local legislators who spend their time between Tallahassee and their districts, Crist travels the state for different events, such as last week’s Outer Beltway announcement in Orange Park. He also travels nationally.
Scheduling a meeting individually with Crist can be tough for anyone.
“During session, it’s very difficult,” said Sterling Ivey, Crist’s press secretary. “He has a busy schedule.”
The requests come weekly by the hundreds, said Ivey, with everything from one-on-one time for individuals or organization officials to appearance requests to inquiries for personal messages. All go through his scheduling department. Ivey said that while each request can’t be fulfilled in person, technology has made Internet communication and YouTube-style personal videos an alternative.
“It’s not always easy to just see him when you show up in Tallahassee,” said Ivey, referring to those making the trip to see local legislators.
The first step would be to check Crist’s daily schedule available on his Web site, www.flgov.com, and plan accordingly.
Ivey said Crist is often more accessible at events outside his office. “He’ll take the time to stop,” he said. “I personally see him stopped all the time in the lobbies and on the way to places and he spends a couple minutes with people each time.”
For those looking for more time, though, the scheduling department accepts and processes requests for meetings as well as invitations to appear at events throughout the state.
For the next 30 days or any time during the session, though, making time can be tough.
“It’s crunch time,” said Ivey.
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