Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida December 2018 | Page 5

President’s Message President Jordan Lee, Utility Service Company Have Y’all Supported Yourself This Year? As business owners, we are constantly being asked to support the various important community efforts that take place especially during the holidays “Season of Giving.” From charities, to youth sporting events, to local initiatives, to shelters, to school projects (the list goes on and on), we happily support efforts to make our communities better. But do we support efforts to protect our industry’s ability to provide jobs and services? Do we give our time and money to show the decision-makers that our industry and its employees are important to the state and our communities? If you’re not sure or your answer is no, then you are not doing enough to support yourself. You need to get more involved in NUCA’s grassroots efforts and contributing to the NUCA PAC and political candidates. Whether you care to admit it or not, there are elected officials out there who make it harder for our businesses to provide services effectively and efficiently. There are elected officials who work daily to find ways for our business to hand over our revenues to the government, making it harder for us to be able to provide jobs. We need to do more to make sure that the candidates who support us are supported by us. While the press would have you believe that Political Action Committees (PACs) are a negative thing, they are a very positive influence on our electoral process. PACs help elect the correct people to office. PACs get more members involved in the political process. PACs help open doors to create relationships with elected officials. PACs make you, your business and NUCA FL a visible and important participant in the political process. PACs do not buy votes. They support candidates who already support us. PACs are not dirty, they are highly-regulated. Ironically, the afore mentioned press even has their own PACs. PACs are very important to our industry’s efforts to influence elections. When you support our industry’s efforts, y’all are supporting yourself as well. In this Season of Giving, please remember to support your industry and yourself. NUCA’s political contributing and grassroots efforts are some of the most important parts of our political participation. What can you do if you can’t give enough money? First, every dollar counts, big or small. Second, get involved with grassroots efforts to support candidates in your community and Florida. From putting yard signs up, to waving signs, to walking for candidates, candidates greatly appreciate those that help them. Third, be a part of NUCA FL meetings with elected officials in your communities and Tallahassee. You have a great opportunity by participating in NUCA’s legislative days in Tallahassee (March 2526). Your grassroots efforts build important “sweat equity” that greatly influences our elected officials. In this Season of Giving, please remember to support your industry and yourself. NUCA’s political contributing and grassroots efforts are some of the most important parts of our political participation. I look forward to seeing you around the state and in Tallahassee as we continue to be heard by our elected officials. • • • DECEMBER 2018 • DITCHMEN 3