A USELESS STATE AGENCY AND A DISMAL SECRETARY: DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION AND SECRETARY CHARLES W. DRAGO |
An
Opinion By Jan Bergemann Published January 2, 2009
When Governor Charlie Crist appointed Charles W. Drago as the new Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), many citizens had hoped for some serious improvements to the services of this government agency that has been considered dysfunctional for many years. A long row of secretaries -- in office never more than 15 months (mostly less) -- did nothing to improve the situation. The DBPR is one of the main reasons why Florida is considered "FRAUD FRIENDLY FLORIDA." Nothing to be proud of, but we are leading the nation's charts in all kinds of fraud! Shouldn't that be some serious incentive to create much needed changes?
But
the joy of many citizens about this appointment turned quickly into
serious disappointment, because the new Secretary quickly turned out to be
just another useless bureau(c)rat! The
reports of Drago's much advertised "On
the Road to Better Business" were offered as propaganda letters
for the DBPR, ignoring the many complaints of concerned citizens, who
talked with him on his various stops. Lots of citizens wanted to talk to
him to show their concerns, but many were turned away long before the
actual meeting date (quote from e-mail): "At
this time all appointment slots have been filled. However, we are still
encouraging citizens to stop by in case of any cancellations."
Many
of the citizens who were able to talk to him complained about the services
of his Department, especially the Division
of
The
DBPR is referring to
According
to his reports, Drago spent countless hours updating and improving DBPR
business practices as a result of the meetings. I'm not sure where he
spent these hours, but definitely not on improving DBPR business practices
and services. After all these meetings with lots of very unhappy citizens,
Drago concluded (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
Wonderful
team? Division investigators are allowed to keep their promises to condo
owners on their way to talk to the Secretary: "If you complain about
me to the Secretary, I will ignore working on the investigation of your
case." So far, investigator Steven Antonoff of the
In my opinion, and that of many others, Drago is just another one in the long row of dismal DBPR secretaries, who is wearing blinders and will do nothing to even try to improve the useless services of his Department. Another serious disappointment!
We
always hear the excuse that cost has to be kept low in the interest of
So, in case you're looking for a not too well paid job that doesn't really require that you do any real work, apply for a job on SECRETARY DRAGO'S WONDERFUL TEAM: DBPR JOB OPENINGS! |