Candidate: HOWARD LOWE

League Women Voters Survey Questions and Howard\'s Answers, August 4, 2014 1. What in your education and experience qualifies you for this office? I have 30 years experience in managing public service agencies and serving on governing boards that provide important services to the public. I have managed organizations structured like the Mosquito Control District (MCD), and understand the challenges and demands that come with public service responsibilities. My background includes hands-on experience in business, technology, education, and communication, all key elements in the MCD’s operations. I have extensive and successful experience working closely with state and federal agencies and their regulations. Professional experience: • General manager of public television and KVNO-FM in Omaha Nebraska • President/CEO of WCFE-TV (PBS), Plattsburgh New York. • Director, State University of New York economic development office; created and funded a regional medical broadband network and a tourism research service used throughout New York State. Education: • BA, Lake Forest College, American Studies • Master of Science, Syracuse University, Television-Radio-Film • Executive MBA, the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Past community service: • Co-chair, with my wife, United Way of Clinton, Essex counties, NY State, Annual Campaign • Elected board president of Big Brothers – Big Sisters of the Midlands, Omaha, Nebraska • Appointed by two New York governors to serve on the State’s Broadband Advisory Council (2008-2011). Current community service: • Re-elected co-chair of the Pelican Landing Unit Owners Committee • Appointed member, Pelican Landing Broadband Task Force • Elected member, Pelican Landing Beach Advisory Group • Elected member, Longlake Village HOA board, and past president. 2. Why are you running for this position? I believe in giving back to my community - public service is in my blood. My entire career has been dedicated to providing the public with services and information that help improve our quality of life. I have been an active volunteer and served in leadership roles with agencies that provide vital public services, such as the United Way and Big Brothers-Big Sisters. In June, I met with MCD executive director T. Wayne Gale and toured the facility in Lehigh Acres with him. This gave me an understanding of the scope of the MCD’s services, and confirmed to me that my expertise and experience in agency management, education, community outreach, and technology is an excellent match with an MCD commissioner’s responsibilities. Professionally, I worked closely with county, state, federal, and non-governmental agencies for many years. The economic development agency that I managed provided research and grant writing for projects including emergency management, tourism marketing, health care, and communication networks. Because I am partly retired, I have the time to devote to the MCD board. I am committed to attending the board meetings, serving on committees, and attending training sessions. I will stay up to date on the latest issues faced by the Mosquito Control District. I have always been an advocate in the community for the organizations on which I serve, and will do so for the Lee County Mosquito Control District, representing my district and helping inform residents, as appropriate, about Mosquito Control District services. 3. What issues do you think are the most pressing issues facing this commission? Continuing detection, control and eradication of non-infected mosquitos is job one. However, two new mosquito-borne diseases are now possible threats to southwest Florida. These mosquitos carry Chikungunya and dengue, and they now exist in the Caribbean. The mosquitos are of two varieties: Ae.Aegypti and Ae.Albopictus. MCD is on the alert for the detection, and timely response to outbreaks of mosquitos carrying Chikungunya and dengue through surveillance and control measures. Dengue and Chikungunya could be major threats to the public and pose challenges to the Mosquito Control District. The Chikungunya and dengue-carrying mosquito tends to breed in pools of water that collect in yards, which is a difficult area to spray. Public education is essential to help detect and control this breeding. Another issue is working with the State and federal government to permit MCD to control mosquitos in Lee County shore areas and salt marshes that are owned by the State and federal government. Presently spraying is not permitted in those areas and thus the MCD must deal with the live mosquitos that breed there, detecting and spraying them after they are active. Public education is key. The Mosquito Control District has an active educational outreach service, and it is an essential part of making sure Lee County residents are adequately informed and prepared to minimize the chances of being bitten by an infected mosquito. Residents must be informed about how they can discourage mosquitos breeding in their yards by eliminating places where water collects. 4. What will you initiate to meet the challenges of these issues? My first goal will be to become thoroughly educated on the Mosquito Control District’s operations. I will be especially interested in maintaining excellent staff training; supporting vigorous educational outreach to the schools and the general public; and learning about alternative funding sources that may diversify revenue to keep the mil rate down while allowing the MCD to grow. The Lee County Mosquito Control District appears to be a very efficiently managed organization. One way it has been able to keep costs down is by using older planes and helicopters that it maintains in excellent condition. When it comes time to replace an aircraft, funding sources will need to be identified to pay for such large capital costs. The mil rate has been kept low, and has only been raised twice in the last 15 years. I can assist with pursuing grants opportunities so that the agency’s capital needs may be met without raising the mil rate. Our southwest Florida lifestyle would not be possible without the work of the Lee County Mosquito Control District. Many of us take for granted the generally mosquito free environment we have in our communities. Few know that Lee County is home to one of the most innovative and effective mosquito control agencies in the country. I believe that my background and experience is a good fit with the agency’s governing board. Thank you for your consideration. I hope to have your vote for Mosquito Control Board, District 2, on November 4. Howard Lowe