Former Commissioner Long reflects on 50 years in politics
Janet C. Long received her first taste of governance in 1972. An affable demeanor and relentless work ethic propelled the longtime Pinellas County commissioner through the next five decades.
Long retired from politics – but not public service – before the Nov. 5 election. The slight-of-stature, quick-witted commissioner’s legacy includes an environmental resiliency road map, the region’s first bus-rapid-transit service and a plan, now on life-support, to keep the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg.
Long, 80, realizes that many politicians lack an affinity for her passion projects. She finds solace in knowing “I’ve done my very best” for 52 years.
“I’ve poured every ounce of energy,” Long said. “I’ve sacrificed time with my loved ones – my children, grandchildren and husband – to help move this county and region forward. It’s really hard work, but it was worth every penny.
“We were making huge progress. I guess it remains to be seen if we keep moving in that direction or if we see things grind to a halt.”
From left: Former County Commissioners Karen Seel, Janet Long and Charlie Justice. Screengrab.
Long was a bright-eyed aide to State Rep. Richard Wilson in 1972. She spent decades working behind the political curtain, until winning a seat on Seminole City Council in March 2002.
The commission dais began bearing a placard with Long’s name in 2012. Incoming Commissioner Chris Scherer took her seat Nov. 19.
County officials honored Long with an emotional tribute at an Oct. 29 meeting. Commissioner Charlie Justice, a longtime friend and colleague subsequently voted out of office, read a proclamation espousing her local contributions.
“I think the biggest compliment you can give someone is that they left an organization better than how they found it,” Justice said. “That has been the case with Commissioner Long. Our entire community is better off for your service – our state is better off for your service.”
Commissioner Dave Eggers referenced a verse from the Bible in his farewell. “Well done, good and faithful servant,” he recited.
Eggers called Long “bold, humble, persistent, caring and committed.” Commission Chair Kathleen Peters noted she “stoked the fire in our bellies.”
Long said she was fortunate to serve when “people were open to hear ideas from both sides of the aisle.” She also finds it easy to establish relationships, including those who disagree on policies.
“Most of them will tell you they don’t agree with anything that comes out of my mouth, but they find me likable,” Long added. “I can live with that, but it doesn’t mean I have to be quiet. I’m a people person.”
From left: St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, City Council Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders, former Commissioner Janet Long, former Commissioner Charlie Justice and Commissioner Renee Flowers. Photo: Facebook.
A trip to the Netherlands bolstered her commitment to environmental resiliency. Long found it surprising that a scientist “buried in the bowels of the United Nations would have Tampa Bay so prominently on their radar.”
She helped build a coalition of environmental stakeholders through her extensive work with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. The Resiliency Coalition now features over 30 local governments and 90 private partners.
Long co-chaired the coalition with St. Petersburg City Councilmember Brandi Gabbard. Its Regional Resilience Action Plan, released in November 2022, provides a framework for stakeholders to help mitigate extreme weather events associated with a changing climate.
Long said she is particularly proud that she helped secure “enormous amounts” of federal funding “for the first time” in Pinellas County’s history to establish the SunRunner bus-rapid-transit system. However, she still wistfully reminisces on the initial 41-mile regional plan.
Local leadership later confined the service to St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach. “If you look at every major metropolitan area across the United States, what’s the one thing they have in common?” Long asked. “They all have public transit.”
Despite her age, Long frequently advocated for innovative solutions. She credited a keen curiosity, global travels and surrounding herself with young people for her ability to stay with and ahead of the times.
Long looks forward to spending more time with her family. She also plans to help grow the Mental Health for Heroes foundation she helped launch.
Her sons are former police officers and military veterans, and the nonprofit provides behavioral health services from professionals with similar experiences. Long said fundraising “has been a big part of my spare time.”
Despite some concerns, Long realizes it’s time for a new generation of local leaders. She expressed gratitude for the supporters who enabled her to serve the county.
“I hope they will stay engaged and make their voices heard,” Long added. “I’m not there anymore, so I worry about how the new commission will handle those things I cared so deeply about.”
From left: former Commissioner Janet Long, St. Petersburg City Councilmember Brandi Gabbard and Mayor Ken Welch at the September 19, 2023, announcement that the Tampa Bay Rays were “here to stay.” Photo by Mark Parker.
