Wow! Jan Bergemann, you are somethin’ else! I didn’t think your proposed legislation had a ghost of a chance of even getting out of committee. But Jan, my brother, you have accomplished a miracle. Just remember it’s only a small step, and you’re up against a massive HOA tort industry that will do anything in its power to ruin you, your reputation, your health, your bank account. Remember, you’re threatening the income stream of a very powerful and unscrupulous monster.
But you are among a small handful of pioneers who opened the eyes of many of the rest of us around the country. We all owe you a debt of gratitude. Of course, we know and you know that you’ve got a big red target on your back.
Those of you who’d like to read the progress and the text of Jan’s proposed Florida reform legislation, it’s linked below.
Way to go, Jan! Hang in there and don’t let anybody discourage you. I’ve been there and done it. I have a few tips to pass along, I hope they will help you. First, don’t miss any meeting even if it only lasts five minutes, be there! Second, do the PR…visit every representative and every senator’s office. Do it more than once and get to know the secretary’s names. In Kansas we put the bill number on rolls of Lifesavers and hand-delivered them to every office. When the bill was in the senate we made little paper houses with a backyard fence and stapled one Lifesaver in a cellophane wrapper to it. On the house we put the bill number and asked for the senator to vote, yes. The pages were asked to delivery those to each senator, but we made sure to stop by each office as well. Never let the legislators forget your face! Ignore the lobbyists, tune them out, walk around them like you are leading a parade. Send emails every couple of days asking the legislators to pass the bill. Use the KISS method. (Keep It Short & Sweet) Take a deep breath and keep smiling. Smiles tend to concern the lobbyists because they can’t figure out what you might know that they don’t know. Stay strong and pray. Your supporters in Kansas are behind you all the way!