7/23/2023 0 Comments Isadora rangel facebookI also learned Melbourne is the birthplace of Jim Morrison from The Doors. I have learned the lagoon also is a concern here and septic tanks are even a hotter issue. To make it even more fascinating, voters in this seemingly conservative county approved imposing a half-cent sales tax to clean up the Indian River Lagoon the same year they elected President Donald Trump. You have moderate Republicans, tea partiers and libertarians arguing over how big government should be. In my short time here, I have learned that, despite being predominantly Republican, Brevard is not homogeneous. Here's New Order's greatest hit if you don't remember I saw him for the first time outside his suit and tie when we met for coffee at Ossorio Bakery & Cafe in Cocoa to talk local politics, the lagoon and our shared affinity for ’80s electro-rock band New Order. ![]() Since joining FLORIDA TODAY, I have met with former Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli of Merritt Island, whom I covered at the Capitol. I have now embarked on a journey to discover Brevard County and have met with several leaders from the business world, education and politics. With a few exceptions, politicians aren't crooked. Yet I force myself to remember people are complex. I learned very few people dictate what laws come out of Tallahassee that lobbyists aren't evil and are an important part of the process, though money can buy influence and talented people to fight for your interests.Ĭovering politics can make you skeptical, even cynical, because politicians and operatives often manipulate facts to their advantage. Only politics could make septic tank conversions and muck removal sexy topics to me. I also learned about the fascinating intersection of politics and the environment through my coverage of efforts to clean the Indian River Lagoon. View Gallery: Photos: Meet FLORIDA TODAY's Isadora Rangel ![]() So I come to you with some knowledge of political issues in this region. Luckily, many of the lawmakers I covered represent both the Treasure and Space coasts, such as U.S. Some are good to work with, some are cagey, some I would have a beer with. They often share similar motivations - whether to help themselves, the public or both. I covered Treasure Coast politics, the Legislature and local and state elections for the last three years.ĭuring that time, I learned elected officials are often more similar than their party affiliations imply. ![]() I spent the last six years in Stuart at TCPalm, which also is part of the USA TODAY Network. I'm replacing Matt Reed, whose opinion pieces you probably read before.īefore I explain what my fancy title means, let me tell you how I ended up here. 1 as your public affairs and engagement editor at FLORIDA TODAY. I was beginning a new life again, 11 years after leaving my tearing parents in an airport lobby in Brazil six years after deciding to pursue a journalism career in a small South Florida town then unknown to me. It was that feeling again, that pull in my heart, that mix of joy, excitement and panic. Watch Video: Meet our new public affairs and engagement editor
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