Crist, Culp: Different approaches

While Victor Crist points to his success in the House, Faye Culp says she's been successful in the trenches.

By TIM GRANT

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 14, 2000

TOWN 'N COUNTRY -- The race for state Senate seat 13 pits two veteran lawmakers against each other with similar views on key issues, yet different ideas on how they could be most effective in representing their district.

State House member Victor Crist and former state legislator Faye Culp, both Republicans, have almost identical voting records. They've supported the same legislation and even co-sponsored bills.

What sets them apart is the way they measure how successful they've been in office.

Crist, of Tampa Palms, is chairman of the Florida Legislature's justice council and is among the top 10 lawmakers running the state House. During his four terms in office, Crist has spearheaded major crime legislation and led the multimillion dollar redevelopment of North Tampa's blighted University of South Florida community.

While Culp, his main contender in the primary race, did not lead the passing of any major legislation, she spent more time trying to solve day-to-day problems for many of her constituents.

She made phone calls to government agencies on their behalf and arranged sandbags for flooding areas of Town 'N Country. She saw to it that a traffic light was installed on Hillsborough Avenue after a fatal accident in 1994.

"I believe I'll have the opportunity again to pick up the phone and call Tallahassee and get things done according to constituent problems with driver's licenses, insurance or whatever," she said at a forum this week, organized by the Town & Country Alliance.

Monday's forum gave voters a good idea of what they can expect if either is elected in November. The winner will replace Sen. John Grant of Carrollwood, who is leaving because of term limits.

Crist, who now represents House District 60, pointed to his long record of achievement in passing important crime laws such as 10-20-Life and the Three Strikes Violent Felony Offender Act. He said he has helped bring more than $100-million in resources to help revitalize the declining USF area.

"The crime rate in the state has dropped for the first time in a decade, 10 percent since the implementation of the two pieces of legislation I spearheaded," Crist said.

As a state senator, Crist said he wants to broaden his focus to health care reform and economic development. His goal is to serve as chairman of the state Senate committee on appropriations.

"The proof is in my accomplishments," Crist said. "What one has done elsewhere is a good indication of what they can do for you."

Culp, who has lived in South Tampa for 32 years, emphasized her accessibility to people in her district. She is a member of several organizations and has served on countless boards and committees in District 57.

"I have been in the trenches working with the people," she said. "If I am your senator, I will work very, very hard in the trenches. I hope you support me not because I'm a woman or female, but because I can get the job done. I've been there."

In terms of campaign contributions, Crist is the clear frontrunner in the race. So far Crist, who has strong ties with the politically connected in Tallahassee has raised more than $130,000 from political action committees and corporate contributors.

Culp has raised only $35,000 from small donors living mostly in the district.

A third Republican candidate in the race, David Reynart, has filed his intent to qualify, but had raised no money through March and did not attend this week's forum.

Monday's forum covered a laundry list of issues ranging from growth management to education. For the most part Crist provided more detailed answers to the questions. At times Culp relied on political buzz words like "consensus building" and "working in the trenches".

For instance, on the question of how to make sure this area's infrastructure supports the rapid growth, Culp said we need to reassess the Growth Management Act that was passed in 1986-87.

"There are no easy answers," she said. "Growth and the economy is on an upswing and that's good, but we need to control it."

Crist, on the other hand, attempted to offer a solution with some more detail.

"We need to put together a task force and create a comprehensive master overlay plan for development and redevelopment in target areas then take that plan to the county commissioners," Crist said.

Culp was elected to the state House 57 seat in 1994 and 1996. She lost the state Commissioner of Education race in 1998 to Frank Brogan. As a former teacher and Hillsborough School Board member, her background and expertise is in education and child care issues.

When asked for solutions to school overcrowding, Culp provided her most insightful response in the forum.

"I strongly believe in charter schools with a specific reason such as agriculture or technology," she said. "I believe another solution that can help overcrowding is the school within a school.

"I have been trying to get that to happen where schools share facilities such as a library and lunchrooms in the middle. Many ideas that are going on across the state are good. I believe a good goal is to have elementary schools have no more than 500 students."

Crist replied to the question saying he would support the creation of more magnet schools to reduce the enrollment burden on suburban and neighborhood schools.

To reach Tim Grant call 226-3471, or e-mail him at grant@sptimes.com.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.