Opinion: Public isn't Peterman's priority

At a recent meeting with Pinellas School Board members, state Rep. Frank Peterman, D-St. Petersburg, complained about their sour attitude toward the voter-mandated reduction in class size. "We need to start thinking ahead about how we're going to do it, not just talking about why we can't," he said.

Peterman, though, has now walked away from one of the most important venues for that crucial debate. He gave up his seat on the prestigious House Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

His reason is noble enough. He is the new pastor of the Rock of Jesus Missionary Baptist Church in St. Petersburg and has a new 4-month-old child, and he says the Appropriations duties are more time-consuming than other committee assignments in the Legislature. "God and family have to come first," he told a reporter.

Though not many of Peterman's constituents would argue with his personal priorities, they have every right to question whether he is fulfilling his commitment to them. Peterman was just re-elected in November to a second term, in part by pledging to tackle important education issues and to represent District 55 with vigor. He wasn't drafted into the job; he sought it and campaigned for it.

Being a legislator is considered a part-time job, and the 60-day annual session (which begins this year on March 4) is a personal juggling act for every lawmaker and his or her family and job. But public service also requires sacrifice. Peterman may be serving his family and church well, but he has let his constituents down.

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