A lot has changed in the past 20 years, and not all for the better. Politics are more divisive, social media has hurt social discourse, the income divide is widening and the cost to simply live is becoming more stressful on families. But two things have remained consistent: Charlie Crist loves St. Petersburg and its people.
Whether serving in Tallahassee or Washington, D.C., Charlie has always championed causes near and dear to The Burg. He helped keep oil rigs off our beautiful coast, fought to make homes and the insurance that protects them more affordable, protected voter rights, fought against racial injustice and pushed government to be better stewards of taxpayers’ money. He serves with a servant’s heart and lets people, not party, be his compass.
He is charismatic, yet humble, and always makes time to greet people when he’s out and about. He has a reputation for giving constituents his personal cell phone number – a habit that often earned an eye roll from his team, because they knew it was useless to try to control access to Charlie.
When people greet him as “Governor Crist,” Charlie always replies with a gentle smile and kindness in his eyes, “It’s just Charlie.”
That kindness isn’t just an act.
Charlie has said repeatedly over the years that he is guided by The Golden Rule – treat others as you would have them to treat you.
You don’t need to look far to see where Charlie learned the value of community service and why it’s important to help others.
Charlie’s parents, Dr. Charles and Nancy Crist, never intended to settle in St. Petersburg, but after a visit in 1960, they cancelled Dr. Crist’s plans to begin a residency at the University of Pittsburgh.
“I just remember going fishing and then telling Nancy that we weren’t going back,” Dr. Crist once said. “I fell in love with Florida.”
The young couple moved the family to St. Petersburg in 1960, when Charlie was just 3 years old.
St. Petersburg has always been his home.
Charlie spent a lot of time outdoors as a child, riding bikes with his three sisters, fishing, swimming and boating. His family had dinner together at the same time each night, and his parents always reminded them to help people if they could.
Dr. Crist’s lesson to young physicians was to always listen intently to their patients. The knowledge you gain listening patiently and asking questions is often more valuable than tests and scans, he would say.
That’s a lesson by which Charlie still abides today. He’s often told voters, “God gave me two ears and one mouth, and I respect the ratio.”
Charlie’s parents set the example of hard work, service and kindness. It was a philosophy about doing the right thing.
Health care was segregated when Dr. Crist arrived in St. Petersburg. The doctor chose to work at Mercy Hospital, where African-Americans had to go for care. Dr. Crist also volunteered as the St. Petersburg High School football team doctor (including the years his son played quarterback) and served many years on the county school and health boards. Nancy Crist was a leader in the Junior League and volunteered for other civic, church and neighborhood organizations.
The lessons Charlie learned have always been part of his leadership, often bucking party to do what’s right for people.
As Governor, he held the state’s first climate change summit, which attracted experts from around the world to Florida. As Governor he signed bills and pushed through policies to help promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. He recognized before many policy makers that climate change could have a huge impact on Florida, and particularly the Tampa Bay area. He successfully fought efforts to expand oil drilling off Florida’s coast and in environmentally sensitive areas – an issue that once again is a threat under the current White House administration.
Even as a Republican Governor, Charlie championed making voting more accessible and was honored by the Legislative Black Caucus for his willingness to listen, his fight to correct civil rights injustices and for paying close attention to Black Floridians’ needs and priorities.
Charlie also revived an old tradition – hosting the Governor’s Baseball Dinner in 2008 at The Trop. The event promoted Spring Training and tourism. Guests included baseball Hall of Famers, former Commissioner Bud Selig, and even a surprise appearance by actor Bill Murray, who shares Charlie’s longtime love of the sport. Early in his career, Charlie served as Minor League Baseball’s general counsel.
As a Congressman, Charlie focused on issues dear to St. Petersburg – keeping oil rigs out of Florida waters, making sure flood insurance is available to homeowners and taking care of veterans by steering federal money to the Bay Pines VA hospital.
At 69, Charlie could simply enjoy sunsets on the bay, grouper sandwiches at Big Catch at Salt Creek, or leisurely strolls along Beach Drive. But he’s a lot like his father.
Dr. Crist didn’t retire until he was 84. Over that time, he helped thousands of people and wanted to keep serving St. Petersburg long after many would have retired.
Like his father, Charlie has also spent a lifetime helping people. And like Dr. Crist, doing so in the city he loves would be an honor.
That’s just Charlie.