State Representative Debbie Boyd commented on the large number of people present for the 2009 Legislative delegation hearing, although officials from both the Lafayette School Board and Mayo Town Hall were missing from the crowd. Still, a group of around 20 citizens and county officials were present to express concerns on topics including coastal drilling, the economy, and health care.

The issues of coastal drilling and interlocal transfers of water were raised by Jerry Wallmeyer. Wallmeyer asked what the future holds for local water supplies.

“I still believe we can do a better job by controlling unbridled use of the water supply,” said Sen. Charlie Dean.

“We need to protect local sources first,” added Boyd.

As for drilling off the coast of Florida, both Boyd and Dean said they are in favor, but only as a temporary option and not a permanent fix to the problem of the nation’s dependency on foreign oil. “We need to use what we have in the ground as a transition to get to where we need to be,” said Boyd, who says she favors alternative fuel sources.

Both Dean and Boyd said they support temporary coastal drilling done in an ecologically friendly way. “As long as it is safe,” said Dean.

Caroline Land was the first to bring up the subject of healthcare in Florida. “It seems that everyone is concerned about healthcare costs and not healthcare,” she said, “when there’s a shortage of doctors and nurses.” Land continued by suggesting ways Florida’s hospitals could attract new doctors, such as tuition forgiveness.

Dean answered by saying he would consider those suggestions but insisted that something must be done about the current costs of healthcare.

“I haven’t seen a doctor in the poor house yet, I haven’t seen an insurance agency in the poorhouse yet,” said Dean. “Today, primary care for many people is the ER room.”

Both Boyd and Dean agreed that changes to the current healthcare system should be made, but are weary of a government healthcare system. “Who pays for it?” asked Dean. “We (taxpayers) pay for it.”

Jack Byrd, owner of T.W Byrd Logging, began a discussion on the current economic situation in Florida and the affect that government healthcare may have on his small business. “We’d go out of business,” he said if his small business were forced to provide insurance to employees.

There was little discussion of Lafayette’s own dire economic situation. “Well, you know our situation,” said County Clerk Ricky Lyons.

Lafayette County has the same problems as larger counties, just a different size of the problem, said Dean. “I haven’t been anywhere yet where everyone’s got everything they need,” said Dean.