MOSQUITO CONTROL: In Response to FKMC Chairman Stephen Smith's Editorial
The editorial by Stephen Smith, Commissioner, Chairman, Florida Keys Mosquito Control, was a fascinating read, and it was a perfect example of why we so desperately need term limits for all elected officials. Mr. Smith, who has been a FKMC board member for 18 years missed the mark. He seems to forget that FKMCB has not only a duty to protect us from mosquitos, but it also is a steward of our tax dollars.
First, his mention of his 18 years on the Board was intended to lend gravitas to his opinion. Apparently Mr. Smith wants you to forget the corruption and the waste that plagued the Board during the first 15 years of his tenure. He would have you forget the egregious salaries and benefits collected by the Board during his tenure. He would have you forget or ignore the criminality of certain staff members during his tenure and his full throated defense of at least one of those staff members.
Mr. Smith criticized other board members for not routinely attending state wide “conferences.” It is recognized that FKMC is the preeminent mosquito control entity in Florida. Even given that fact, maintaining a knowledge of the latest developments in the field is essential. But attending “conferences” is not a cost effective means to that end. There is no reason whatsoever that individual commissioner’s cannot avail themselves of the latest literature and products from the web, periodicals, or from the various vendors. In this electronic age, it is possible for any Board Member to link with any person in our nation who might have information germane to FKMC business.
Having spent nearly 40 years in public employ I have personally attended dozens of these “conferences”. There is precious little study, precious little exposure to new products or tactics, but there is tons of boozing and schmoozing. I trust you will remember the photo of the Director of The General Services Administration wearing gold chains, seated in a hot tub overlooking Las Vegas, and the scandal that erupted from that “conference.”
These conferences are expensive. This year Mr. Smith spent more than $ 6k of your tax dollars attending these “conferences.” FYI the entire budget for that activity for the year was $10k. In the past 2 years, Mr. Smith has spent more than $ 14k of your tax dollars…..”conferencing.”
FYI this year’s fall conference of the Florida Mosquito Control Association is being held at the Bonaventure Resort & Spa in Weston, FL. It bills itself as a 4 star resort. You may want to check it out at http://www.bonaventureresortandspa.com/photo_gallery/. It sure looks like a great place to booze and schmooz at taxpayer expense.
Additionally Mr. Smith specifically criticized Commissioner Goodman for not attending “conferences”. Mr. Goodman holds a degree in chemical engineering and a Masters of Business Administration. His entire career was involved in the use and manufacturing of chemicals. Mr. Goodman is no neophyte in the chemical industry nor in the application of chemicals. Nonetheless, in fact, Mr. Goodman did attend one of these “conferences”. He did not charge the taxpayers of Monroe for his attendance, he paid his own way. Mr. Goodman determined that the “conference” was not an efficient forum for the exchange of knowledge. In my own experience, the only benefit from these “conferences” is that the attendee has a great time, socializes, and networks. Apparently Mr. Smith is a strong advocate of having a good time, socializing, and networking. But I’m at a loss as to how that translates into killing mosquitos.
Incredibly, even in this dire fiscal climate, Mr. Smith is critical of budget control. Specifically he suggests that failing to increase this year’s budget will negatively affect financing for the needed new building. That argument is specious. What he fails to mention is that he and certain others are roadblocking efforts to bring the entire administrative component and the operations of the MKC under one roof, the new building to be constructed in Marathon. Instead, Commissioner Smith and others, prefer to keep the comptroller and accounting personnel in a new and separate building to be constructed on Big Coppit. Apparently simply for the convenience of certain staffers. That strikes me as a monumental waste of tax dollars. It makes no sense to construct two separate facilities.
It is apparent that Mr. Smith is supporting Mr. Cousineau against Commissioner Goodman in the up coming election. The obvious conclusion is that Mr. Cousineau advocates the same positions espoused by Smith. Each are determined to spend more of your tax dollars.
While it is true that calls for service have slightly increased very recently, the existing staff has done a magnificent job of keeping us free from the health hazard and the discomfort of our mosquitos. There is no reason to increase staff or to increase our budget to levels that will require a millage increase.
Mr. Smith, and by extension, Mr. Cosineau wants to increase your tax bill, Mr. Goodman opposes a tax increase.
Walter Lagraves
Big Pine Key