Set aside partisan politics

Guest Column by Debbie Boyd

During this holiday season, I am thankful and would like to share some heartfelt thoughts with you.

I want to thank my husband, Tommy, and my family, neighbors and all the citizens of House District 11 for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your State Representative from 2006 to 2010.

It was an honor and a privilege to be elected to serve as your voice in our state government.  When you serve in this capacity, you have the chance to cast literally hundreds of votes and to make thousands of, what I believe, are important decisions. Thus, the responsibility given to an elected representative is serious and should be treated as such.

In my electoral defeat, I was saddened and disappointed but never dispirited nor disheartened.  For each and every one of the votes I cast and for every decision I ever made, each met two basic criteria.  First, the votes were cast – every single one of them – with only the very best interest of our district in mind.  No matter the issue, the venue, or the pressure from outside sources, I knew that I was your voice and your representative and I looked beyond party affiliation, past rhetoric and always into the hearts and minds of the people I was elected to serve.

Second, I leave service with a peace-filled heart and a crystal-clear conscience.  In these troubling times, too many elected leaders fail this fundamental test.  Too many seek to achieve personal gain either through power or financial riches.  In doing so, many shed their core values and as a result, deserve to lose the public’s trust.  I know I come home with the comfort of knowing that during my length of service, I maintained my integrity, stayed true to our values, and never was forced to compromise our district. Even my most ardent opposition never accused me of betraying the public’s trust.

Which brings me to this campaign and our state’s future.

I believe public policy is better when the numbers of each party are closer to the middle because that’s when both sides are forced to work together, consider all ideas, and build consensus. When the numbers are more equal, it’s more difficult for either party to lock down every vote of its members and elected officials are more representative of their constituents. Only then will good public policy outweigh partisan politics and party loyalty.  Until the leadership of a majority refrains from forcing its own agenda and is willing to honestly work with the minority for the good of the people, the pendulum will continue to swing from one extreme to the other and our state, our nation and its citizens will continue to be the victims.

With this election, our state is now completely controlled by one party – from the Governor’s mansion to a super-majority in both the State House and Senate – and every office in between.  While I believe that most issues transcend party loyalty, what is important is the will of the electorate.

And they have spoken.

I genuinely wish all of our elected leaders in both parties success, and I challenge the majority leadership to seize this opportunity to set aside partisan politics for good public policy.  Our state is in dire straits and despite the political rhetoric suggesting otherwise, there are no easy or fast solutions.  I challenge every citizen to remain watchful of those elected, know how you are represented, and be a vital participant of the turnaround our ship of state needs.

For my part, I offer my gratitude for being allowed to serve, my willingness to be of continued service, my counsel when asked, and my prayers when needed.

Thank you to so many who had confidence and trust in me, have expressed encouragement for my future and asked “What next?” I know that doors of opportunity close and new doors open. After eight years as an elected servant, I embrace and value the time I have to spend with my family during the holidays. I would be honored to serve the public again in the future, and I will recognize and welcome the next door of opportunity that opens!

Again, thank you. I feel that serving you was a wonderful blessing and I will forever cherish the time you allowed me to have as your representative.

Debbie Boyd served as House District 11 State Representative (2006-2010) and Newberry City Commissioner (2002-2006). Her hometown is Newberry and she is a sixth generation Floridian from the Newberry and Gilchrist County area.