On Sunday Floridians across the state will pay homage to fatherhood by recognizing Father's Day. As we prepare for the weekend, we also learn of the passing of someone who had great admiration for his father as described in his bestselling book, Big Russ and Me.

Tim Russert, one of the preeminent political journalists in our nation’s history, and author of Big Russ and Me and Wisdom of Our Fathers, passed away today at age 58.

In a recent interview about his father Tim offered this advice on how he aims to be the best father he can be.

“It is just being there. It's not the organized vacations that really, truly matter. My son is now in college. Whenever he flies home from college, I go to the airport and pick him up. He could easily take a taxi. But I want to go there. I want to wait for the luggage with him. I want to ride in the car with him because you can talk to him or you can hear him talking on the cell phone. You learn something. And it's invaluable that you have that conversation, that you have that kind of--that relationship, that bonding, if you will.”

As we honor the special bonds of fatherhood we also honor father figures such as grandfathers, stepfathers, or big brothers. If you are interested in becoming a mentor in Florida, visit a Big Brothers, Big Sisters in your area (bbbs.org).

CFO SINK ADDRESSES SMALL COUNTY COALITION IN TALLAHASSEE

CFO Sink spoke to the representatives of the 38 small counties in Florida and addressed pertinent issues such as the Local Government Investment Pool, the My Safe Florida Home program, and the duties of the State Fire Marshal.

The Small County Coalition in Florida is a statewide alliance of 38 county commissions, with a primary mission to help Florida’s small and rural counties address legislative issues from a small county/rural perspective and work effectively with state agencies’ leadership.

The Small County Coalition supports a state rural policy that protects the character of our small and rural areas; promotes economic development; and maintains and promotes the viability of existing small county economies such as agriculture and eco-tourism.

Money-Smart Idea of the Week

Idea: Driving less may save on car insurance

Car owners who change their driving habits due to soaring gas prices may be able to save a few dollars on their auto insurance premiums. 

Major car insurers say that drivers who log less than about 7,500 miles a year may be eligible for low mileage programs that reduce premiums by an average of about 10 to 12 percent.  Car owners who drive more than that but less than they used to -- perhaps because they have started using public transportation or biking to work -- may also save on premiums, according to a study by the Consumer Federation of America. The group released a study recently showing that consumers could save 5 to 15 percent by cutting their mileage enough to drop into a different ratings category.

RECESSION, RECOVERY, OR BUSINESS AS USUAL FLORIDA ECONOMIC SUMMIT

Recession, Recovery, or Business as Usual was the 2008 theme of the Florida Economic Update sponsored by Florida’s Business Journals on June 6, 2008, in Orlando. CFO Alex Sink kicked off the event with anecdotes detailing Florida’s history of real estate booms and busts dating back to the 1800s.

Speaking to an audience of more than 450 business leaders from across the state, the CFO told those assembled, “I’ve never heard a more apropos description of Florida’s business cycles than ‘Recession, Recovery, or Business as Usual,’ but, I’d like to add one other descriptor that I believe is a hallmark of our great state – REINVENTION.”

CFO Sink also shared an excerpt about the real estate boom and bust of the 1920s in Florida from Only Yesterday, a book by Frederick Lewis Allen that reads much like a story you could see in any major Florida newspaper today. She went on to recount Florida’s real estate booms and busts of the 20th Century, illustrating how every time Florida has reinvented its economy and become stronger.

The CFO challenged the group to leverage the bright spots in Florida’s economy today, the growing international exports and trade, by marketing the state’s excess real estate to international buyers who would still find Florida property a bargain.

“Reinvention by its very definition isn’t easy, but Floridians know how to make it happen and I’d rather embark on this journey with the people of Florida than any other,” said Sink.