mosquito control???

It's important in this county that our officials be accountable to the local political machine and the benefactors of that machine.

It's important in this county that our officials be accountable to the local political machine and the benefactors of that machine.

I wondered about that. What fascinates me is the concept of... To what end? Is the "machine" made up of developers raping and pillaging the land? People whose families have lived here for 4 generations? Or people who like the idea of an inadequately educated workforce so that they have cheap labor? Or do they have a complex about their "shortcomings"?

I am relatively new to Walton County, but seriously ... The head of mosquito control is an elected position?!?!? Why? It seems to me that the voters of the county are the ones who need to be fired, we apparently vote on everyone except the night janitor ( and I am not sure about even that).

Welcome to Florida county government. I've been a little shocked for a long time.

I wondered about that. What fascinates me is the concept of... To what end? Is the "machine" made up of developers raping and pillaging the land? People whose families have lived here for 4 generations? Or people who like the idea of an inadequately educated workforce so that they have cheap labor? Or do they have a complex about their "shortcomings"?

Correct on all counts. It's really sad but also disgusting. In the minds of Walton County politicians, the difference between right and wrong is lost. And they feel that if you can get away with something, it's ethical.

Welcome to Florida county government. I've been a little shocked for a long time.

I appreciate your sentiment, but refuse to believe that people of good will cannot change things.

Correct on all counts. It's really sad but also disgusting. In the minds of Walton County politicians, the difference between right and wrong is lost. And they feel that if you can get away with something, it's ethical.

I am wondering if that as the county grows with "outsiders" moving in, the machine is panicked about losing its grip. The sooner, the better.

As an outsider who has lived here since 1996 I can tell you that SWMC does an incredibly good job. The reason that we elect the board is that they are an independent agency. Not under the control of the county board. They are very responsive. Give them a call if you have a problem and see how local government should work.

It is supposed to be non partisan but there are signs in front of Republican headquarters on Hwy 98

South Walton County Mosquito Control was set up as an independent special district in 1964, based on a vote by people living south of the bay. The three mosquito control commissioners are elected, but the director is hired rather than elected.

I am relatively new to Walton County, but seriously ... The head of mosquito control is an elected position?!?!? Why? It seems to me that the voters of the county are the ones who need to be fired, we apparently vote on everyone except the night janitor ( and I am not sure about even that).

Thank you for asking questions in relationship to the mosquito control election. The South Walton Mosquito Control is an independent district formed in 1964 by the citizens of South Walton. The reason for this at the time there was no mosquito control in the entire County. The taxpayers decide to establish their own independent district under Florida Statute 388 which requires three elected commissioners to oversee the expenditures of the monies collected for the use of mosquito control.
We are not connected with any county government we do take direction from the state of Florida as to rules and regulations. I invite you to come visit our location on Highway 393 our books are open to the public and we are probably one of the most transparent organizations in the county.
With all that said I would like to reemphasize that we are currently under a West Nile alert and that your district is being monitored 24/7 to ensure a safe living environment to our taxpayers. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us, if you would like us to come and survey your property to help you improve your quality of life and preventing the growth of mosquitoes call us and we will come.
As a Commissioner I stay available to you if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call me personally at 850-217-1135.
Many thanks,
John J Magee
Commissioner South Walton Mosquito Control Seat one

It is supposed to be non partisan but there are signs in front of Republican headquarters on Hwy 98

Bob, as you stated this is a nonpartisan position I was talking to Tom McGhee over the weekend who one of the individuals who is in charge of the Democratic headquarters in Walton County and he told me that the Obama administration will not allow them to have any local candidates information available to the public that is to include Democratic individuals, and nonpartisan. Interesting information, considering that the monies to fund this office was raised locally.

Mr Magee are you saying you would place a sign outside the Democratic Headquarters if allowed?

It would be nice if some of you would become slightly informed and get off your dead butts and attend some meetings that explain what actually goes on in this county. Mr Magee gave a wonderful presentation at the Interested Citizens meeting last Wednesday night. You may watch the entire presentation on www.neighborvision.com if you can find the time between griping about something you know nothing about. Thank you miznotebook and Mr Magee for setting the record straight.

Mr Magee are you saying you would place a sign outside the Democratic Headquarters if allowed?

Great question, as pointed out, this position is nonpartisan and I believe it is very important that this is driven home. In the past I have always been receptive to providing campaign literature to the Democratic Party, although as most people know I have been past chairman of the Republican Party for Walton County. With this said, it has nothing to do with my political affiliation, it is nonpartisan. We represent all taxpayers of South Walton. Consequently, I feel it is imperative to have necessary information available to all citizens to properly inform them of our work.
Mosquitoes do not discriminate between Republicans, Democrats, and independents voters. They like to bite!
John J. Magee
Commissioner, South Walton Mosquito Control, Seat One

M is for Mosquito ------M is for Magee

Mosquitoes do not discriminate between Republicans, Democrats, and independents voters. They like to bite!

What's the difference between a skeeter and a lobbyist?

What's the difference between a skeeter and a lobbyist?

A lobbyist needs to be paid by a client in order to be interested in biting a politician, whereas a skeeter can bite a politician when ever it wants to.

A lobbyist needs to be paid by a client in order to be interested in biting a politician, whereas a skeeter can bite a politician when ever it wants to.

Love it !!! LOL

Great question, as pointed out, this position is nonpartisan and I believe it is very important that this is driven home. In the past I have always been receptive to providing campaign literature to the Democratic Party, although as most people know I have been past chairman of the Republican Party for Walton County. With this said, it has nothing to do with my political affiliation, it is nonpartisan. We represent all taxpayers of South Walton. Consequently, I feel it is imperative to have necessary information available to all citizens to properly inform them of our work.
Mosquitoes do not discriminate between Republicans, Democrats, and independents voters. They like to bite!
John J. Magee
Commissioner, South Walton Mosquito Control, Seat One

M is for Mosquito ------M is for Magee

Thank you, just feel that by placing signs in front of any Headquarters for a Non Partisan position gives a partisan feel. That is just my opinion, thanks again for straight forward answer Mr Magee.

A lobbyist needs to be paid by a client in order to be interested in biting a politician, whereas a skeeter can bite a politician when ever it wants to.

Good one.

I was thinking that one is a bloodsucking parasite that no one can control and the other is a mosquito.