Mosquito Control Seat 5: Gary Howell

The Anastasia Mosquito Control District offers a host of operational and educational services; overseen by a five-member non-partisan elected board of commissioners who each earn $4,800 annually during their four-year term.

Commissioner Ronnie R. Radford, who currently holds Seat 5, will not seek re-election, making this an “open seat”. The District holds monthly board meetings; currently at 6:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month.

Former Mosquito Control commissioner Gary H. Howell; Paul J. Linser, a University of Florida scientist who also sits on the Florida Coordinating Council for Mosquito Control, and Vernon T. Stroman Jr., an insurance agent and lifelong resident who wants to give back to his community, are seeking election to this seat.

Unless one candidate garners 50% of the votes cast plus one vote, the top two candidates will face each other on the November 6 ballot in a runoff.

Howell has served two terms on the board and told reporters that he has heard concerns that the District has become overburdened with politics and is no longer moving forward. Howell says he wants to restore order and confidence in the District that watches over nearly $3.5 million in reserve funds, while keeping millage as low as possible.

Linser, who specializes in mosquito biology at the Whitney Laboratory, reportedly desires to serve on the board because of his background. He says that he has managed millions of dollars in research grants and has run a non-profit organization, the Gamble Rogers Festival. He believes his combination of experiences suit him for this post.

Stroman told reporters that he is running because mosquitoes affect the community and he wants to be an advocate for residents’ concerns and ensure that the public is properly educated on mosquito protection.

During each of his two previous campaigns, Historic City News supported Howell. During the eight years he served our community, he never disappointed us in those endorsements. With high confidence, we unreservedly recommend Gary H. Howell for Seat 5 on the Anastasia Mosquito Control District.