Contact DBPR Secretary Charles W. Drago

On-Line During Office Hours

NorthWest Florida -- Wednesday, AUGUST 12, from 3 to 5 p.m.

NORTHWEST FLORIDA: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Liberty, Franklin, Gadsden, Leon, Wakulia, Jefferson, Madison and Taylor

 

An Opinion By Jan Bergemann 
President, Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc. 

May 31, 2009

 

Last year's initiative "On the Road to Better Business" was clearly nothing but a propaganda campaign for the DBPR. Many citizens who attended the meetings were surprised when they read Secretary Drago's evaluation of these meetings. Just read: 

A USELESS STATE AGENCY AND A DISMAL SECRETARY

 

This year it's easier for us citizens to get in touch with Secretary Drago  -- so they say? Please read the announcement below, as published in the DBPR newsletter on May 28, 2009.

 

Don't give up, talk with Secretary Drago on-line -- no harm done if he doesn't listen -- again! Here are the instructions and the page with the connections:

http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/QualityOnTheLine.html

 

Please use this good opportunity to voice your complaints about the DBPR to Secretary Drago. And keep a copy of this communication -- for future references. Just in case the Secretary claims again (quote): ".... they had great things to say about the people who work here. I know that we will continue to improve the way we serve our licensees and the people of Florida . It takes great people to affect change, and we’re fortunate to have a wonderful team."

 

FOURTH STOP: 

NorthWest Florida on Wednesday, July 29, from 12 to 3 p.m.

 

June 5, 2009

On Tuesday, when I sat down at my desk in preparation for our first "Quality on the Line," I wasn't sure what to expect. I feel lucky to work at a state agency that has customers who are willing to provide feedback and suggestions, but I was unsure about the new online format and if it would work. My fears quickly subsided when I saw e-mail after e-mail popping into my mailbox. To be honest, it was hard to keep up.

Mid-way through the virtual office hours, I received an e-mail from a man from Hallandale Beach. He started his e-mail with, "Thank you for your 'bravery', if not foolhardiness, for providing this forum." His comment certainly made me laugh and provided a needed lighthearted moment amidst the other comments and concerns. I appreciated his insight and candidness about the difficulty in opening yourself up for criticism.

Having done "On the Road to Better Business" last year, I was prepared for the comments that are hard to hear. I hate to hear that we have let down a licensee, failed in some way to protect a consumer or made it too difficult or too hard to understand how to get licensed. All of these things are tough to hear, especially directly from the person we have failed to treat as a valued customer. At the end of the day, it is all worth it. The comments help me and the department to grow and improve.

More than 100 customers from the South Florida area wrote to me during "Quality on the Line," and I responded to each one. One man from Ft. Lauderdale had concerns about continuing education courses, which are required for license renewal. We are now looking at how we provide information on our Web site to see if we can make improvements.

I don't see our customer-oriented initiatives as brave or even foolhardy. I see them as a responsibility and a commitment to the people we are charged to serve. I am looking forward to our next "Quality on the Line" virtual office hours in West Florida on Wednesday, June 17, from 12 to 3 p.m. You can track our progress and find out more about our customer contacts by visiting "Customers on the Line." I am hoping for another outstanding turnout.

Sincerely,

Chuck Drago's Signature

Charles W. Drago
Secretary

Department of Business and
Professional Regulation
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Customer Contact Center:
850.487.1395

www.MyFloridaLicense.com

DYSFUNCTIONAL DBPR

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