Walton County Mosquito Control Commissioner Arrested

From the Sun:



Charlie Burke arrested: County attorney says evidence shows he is not a resident of Walton County

December 05, 2007 Staff reports

WJHG, Panama City, is reporting Charlie Burke, board member of the South Walton Mosquito Control Board, was arrested on Tuesday, on charges he falsified information regarding his residency when elected to the board.

The question of Burke?s residence came up a number of times but Walton County Supervisor of Elections Bobby Beasley said Burke had signed a sworn affidavit attesting to his residency and his office is obligated to take such statement at face value.

Burke?s arrest comes just months after he spearheaded the firing of Mosquito Control Director Gary D?Angelo under protest from community members.

Politricks

Rut roh, does that mean there's a job opening? Wonder what the qualifications are?

Burke?s arrest comes just months after he spearheaded the firing of Mosquito Control Director Gary D?Angelo under protest from community members.

As I recall, Gary wasn't fired. His contract was non-renewed (isn't that the new term?) Also, I don't remember anyone other than Gary protesting. I think most people were happy that the job salary of $112,000 (or something like that) was being decreased to a reasonable amount around $60,000. Talk about poliTRICKS, how does one increase his salary from $60,000 to about double that within only four years?

I just posted the Sun article, don't know much about the whole thing, but if the Sun got something wrong it's a day that ends in "y". :roll: They already edited the article from when I saw it earlier - then the sentence you quoted said he had been fired, not arrested.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around what the job entails and why it pays more than 2-3x that of a county commissioner etc.

It just seems bizarre to me that he was arrested. It seems like he would be removed from office, or something.

After all, when one of our County Commissioners was found to have violated campaign rules, it seems like that would also fall into the "falsifying state documents" category and would have triggered an arrest.

There is something else going on here - anyone have any clues? I know he got the head of the Mosquito commission "non-renewed", but he couldn't do that alone.

To paraphrase Yakov Smirnoff - "What a county!"

Just remember that Martha Stewart spent time in prison, not for insider trading, but for lying under oath. I'm guessing that falsifying State documents probably falls under some serious laws, hence the arrest.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around what the job entails and why it pays more than 2-3x that of a county commissioner etc.

Mosquito commissioner pays $400 a month plus benefits if I am not mistaken. Residency seems to be a major qualification.

I think Skunky nailed it -- poliTRICKS. One of the other two MC (Mosquito Control) Commissioners filed a million dollar lawsuit against Charles Burke in the past. They don't like him, and they really pushed it when Gary's contract was not renewed.

With Burke arrested, there are only two Commissioners on the MC Board. Better watch them closely. The MC Board is the only County Board which (usually) has only three members. There has been talk about expanding it to five members, but right now, there are only TWO! I wonder who breaks the tying vote.??? Not to worry. I bet with these two, there are no ties.

It just seems bizarre to me that he was arrested. It seems like he would be removed from office, or something.

After all, when Scott Brannon was found to have violated campaign rules, it seems like that would also fall into the "falsifying state documents" category and would have triggered an arrest.

There is something else going on here - anyone have any clues? I know he got the head of the Mosquito commission "non-renewed", but he couldn't do that alone.

To paraphrase Yakov Smirnoff - "What a county!"

The arrest would probably trigger a suspension from office with a temporary appointment until trial. Conviction would probably trigger permament removal with the office coming up for special election in August or November.

The board had been discussing adding two additional commissioners so there could be several openings in the coming year.

Mosquito commissioner pays $400 a month plus benefits if I am not mistaken. Residency seems to be a major qualification.

I believe she was referring to the WalCo Mosquito Control manager's salary which was well over $100,000 per year.

As for residency requirements, I think it is extremely important that the people in charge of spraying our neighborhoods with death-causing poisons, to actually live in the areas being sprayed.

The arrest would probably trigger a suspension from office with a temporary appointment until trial. Conviction would probably trigger permament removal with the office coming up for special election in August or November.

The board had been discussing adding two additional commissioners so there could be several openings in the coming year.

Honestly, with all of the nonsense that goes on around here, that the State Attorney chose to get involved in this particular mess makes no sense. It's like hitting a fly with a dump truck.

When they are State documents being falsified, that is out of the County's hands.

With Burke arrested, there are only two Commissioners on the MC Board. Better watch them closely. The MC Board is the only County Board which (usually) has only three members. There has been talk about expanding it to five members, but right now, there are only TWO! I wonder who breaks the tying vote.??? Not to worry. I bet with these two, there are no ties.

Interesting thoughts considering one of these two voted not to renew the contract.

Good point, WalGOP. So you think that now that we are down to two, there will be tying votes, or do you think there will be more You Scratch My Back, ...?

When they are State documents being falsified, that is out of the County's hands.

Then where was the state when our County Commission approved all of those seawalls which were in violation of state rules? Where were they when the DEP had to resort to flying over Sowal in a helicopter to find out where seawalls were being built?

After all, when one of our County Commissioners was found to have violated campaign rules, it seems like that would also fall into the "falsifying state documents" category and would have triggered an arrest.

Those were probably civil and not criminal violations.

Good point, WalGOP. So you think that now that we are down to two, there will be tying votes, or do you think there will be more You Scratch My Back, ...?

I think you will see a very quick suspension from office and an appointment of an interim commissioner in short order. Mainly because of the fact that there are only two left and it could certainly lead to issues when trying to conduct business. I think they still have to hire a new director, and right now the board is doing the management duties.

I think you will see a very quick suspension from office and an appointment of an interim commissioner in short order. Mainly because of the fact that there are only two left and it could certainly lead to issues when trying to conduct business. I think they still have to hire a new director, and right now the board is doing the management duties.

...and since at least one of the two remaining MC Commissioners doesn't even know some basic facts about Mosquito Control, which was pointed out by the scientists whom they brought in for a meeting with citizens, it is very scary that he is one half of the management right now. :shock:

Does th MCC give notice before they spray

Does th MCC give notice before they spray

You aren't from around here are you?
No, they give no formal notice. Typically, the only notice you receive is when you hear the fogger engine running on the truck as it comes through your neighborhood. I have to think there are some trespassing laws being violated when they spray poisons. We have several threads devoted to those issues. Run a search for mosquito control and you will probably find them.

Does th MCC give notice before they spray

Yes. You will hear a whiny sound a few streets over, which is our warning to bring in the animals and shut the windows.

Supermom describes the sound as "Wee woo wee woo". We call it the sound of death.

kinda like when you live in a flight pattern and they dump the jet fuel landing...TOXIC

kinda like when you live in a flight pattern and they dump the jet fuel landing...TOXIC

maybe, but the difference is that the jet fuel is produced with the intention of fueling jets. The poisons which the MC uses, are produced to kill small insects indiscriminately. Also, jets don't commonly dump fuel, but Mosquito Control often sprays the killing poisons.

You aren't from around here are you?
No, they give no formal notice. Typically, the only notice you receive is when you hear the fogger engine running on the truck as it comes through your neighborhood. I have to think there are some trespassing laws being violated when they spray poisons. We have several threads devoted to those issues. Run a search for mosquito control and you will probably find them.

NO!!!!!!!!!!I'm not from where you be!!!!!!!!!
Was it my accent that gave me away?
It is cold here today and I woke to the beautful snow and ice covered trees out my window. I was lucky I did not need to be at work today...so I made a pot of chili and some banana bread.
I do not like the cold except for the cool clothes to be had....
I will not be there until the 21st....I hope the Mosquito Patrol will have already been and gone....as I do not even like hairspray much less pesticides.....