Candidate: Michael T. Norris

I am asking for your vote for re-election on November 3, 2020, for the position of Commissioner Seat 2 – South Walton County Mosquito Control District.

I am a native to the area, born at Eglin AFB, my father was in the Air Force, and we lived in Ft Walton Beach.   I graduated from Choctawhatchee High School, Okaloosa Walton Junior College, then I left to finish up at Florida State University, graduated and my first job was with Eastern Airlines.  I have been married to Nancy for 31 years, currently live in Santa Rosa Beach, FL and have resided here in the area since 1998.  We have 3 daughters.  Twins are living in Nashville, TN and the youngest is finishing up her last semester in nursing school in Tallahasse.  

My occupation currently is a Realtor specializing in residential and commercial real estate.

·       We have many accomplishments while I have served on the SWCMCD Board.   The main job is to make sure that we protect health and welfare of the citizens of the district from mosquito borne diseases.    The mission of the South Walton County Mosquito Control District (SWCMCD) is to serve the district by suppressing both pestiferous and disease carrying mosquito populations to a tolerable level in the safest, most economical manner, utilizing a variety of methods in such a way as to minimize potential effects on people, wildlife and the environment while maximizing the value to the district’s taxpayers.

·       To make sure employees have the tools necessary to do their jobs and an annual budget with tax payers in mind.  Today as we travel the world it’s easy to bring one of these mosquito borne diseases to our area  

·        We have implemented automated email and call programs to notify our citizens of spray times and via website. 

·       We have upgraded the programs to do more larviciding than spraying, we consider this a proactive program instead of spraying all the time, also saving the taxpayers’ dollars.   We get less mosquitoes by doing it that way. 

·       The District implemented a better education program with the local elementary schools, approximately 85 classrooms,  with my encouragement and participation.  It is so well received that we are expanding the program to the Middle schools when the opportunity comes available. 

·       We are in the process of receiving a Development Order for construction of a new Administration building  and future facility buildings, that I have been tasked by the Board to oversee with the Executive Director.    We currently are operating out of buildings that are as old as 56 years. 

·       The SWCMCD also manages and maintains approximately 25 miles of ditches, we call them mosquito ditches.   These ditches are to be used to drain off the swampy areas so to give the mosquitoes a smaller or no environment to grow in.   With the growth in population in the area they have become somewhat of a drainage ditch for developers, county and state agencies.  

·       So I was tasked by our District Board to move forward to possibly implement Stormwater into the District mission.   After extensive research and engineering studies, it was determined that it could be a benefit to the residents of South Walton that the SWCMCD to add the stormwater component and connections to our ditches.  

·       I presented the potential Bill to our County and to our District Representative Brad Drake and to our representing Senator Gainer.   Both agreed to lets move forward on the Bill to improve our situation here in South Walton with the county’s involvement and approval.  The Bill is on the District Representatives desk for the next session in 2021. If it passes the legislative process, The Bill will then be brought to the voters of South Walton by referendum for them to vote on the stormwater district addition.

I have other activities and boards that I am a member of; 

I have been a member of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Advisory Board and former Chairman for over 10 years.  I want to give back and being a good steward for our water resources is important to me.

I was appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate to be on the Northwest Florida Water Management District Board for a 4 year term.  This led me to the better understanding of our Panhandle of Florida’s water resources  and teaming up with Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance to keep our watershed in as pristine condition as possible. 

I am on the Tourist Development Council Advisory Board, bringing in approximately 4 Billion in gross revenues in 2019.  Another reason to keep them pesky mosquitoes away.

I was on the Walton County Design Review Board for the Scenic Corridor of Hwy 98 and 331  and Chairman for 12.5 years.

I have been the Chairman of the Republican Party in Walton County for many years and I am now currently your Republican Party of Walton County State Committeeman

Let me continue to represent you as your SWCMCD Seat 2 Commissioner, I would appreciate your VOTE.    I would like to be your ‘SKEETER DELETER’ once again!