Browning discusses Mosquito Control Board

Vivian Browning addressed the St. Johns County Civic Association Roundtable this morning and Historic City News editor Michael Gold was on hand to ask questions about her presentation regarding the Anastasia Mosquito Control Board.

Browning, who is an elected member of that board, informed representatives from various communities around the county about the goals and essential mosquito control services overseen by the board.

During this morning’s meeting, held on the second floor in the Conference Center of the Northeast Florida Regional Airport at St. Augustine, Browning explained her views on the importance of centralizing command and control with the operations of the Mosquito Control District.

“We have high and dry land adjacent to the new St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center on Agricultural Center Drive that was purchased by us,” Browning told Gold. “It is the ideal location for us — we own it and it would get us out of the low-lying St. Augustine Beach location we are using now. The other, facilities that we currently use could be purchased by another public agency or sold as surplus.”

Browning had poster board maps showing the locations of district facilities in several locations throughout the county. She believes that there could be better communication with the county, especially in the event of a hurricane or other disaster, if their operations were in close proximity to the EOC.

“My pursuit of this solution is based solely on my desire to do what’s right for the residents of the county — not just now, but looking 20 or 30 years down the road,” Browning said.

When asked if she had her eye on a run for a seat on the Board of County Commissioners, she replied, “Absolutely not.”

Also speaking today before the Civic Association, St. Johns County Emergency Management representative Linda Stoughton made a presentation on the subject of hurricane preparedness.

This meeting is NOT sponsored by the Airport Authority, its staff or the Airport.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer