Friday, October 31, 2014

Do you remember as little as 4 years ago, Mosquito Control (MC) was fraught with much publicized corruption, excesses, public feuding between the then Director and some of the then commissioners and dengue fever was in Key West? These problems typically run deep within an organization because bad management usually makes bad policies that linger. As a result of these past problems, when I joined the board, I hit the ground running and began to look at everything to determine where the main problems were and then worked to correct them. Surprisingly, these approaches that are basic to all successful organizations had never been considered in the past at MC. One member does not make a board, but good policies can be supported by a majority. I looked at these opportunities for improvement from a business perspective, initiated the following actions with the board, obtained board approval and we started getting results. I am running on my record.

The first thing I did to change direction at MC was to introduce strategic planning. If you fail to plan you ultimately plan to fail and MC had no strategic plan. We soon developed a three year plan that continues to be updated regularly by staff and presented to the Board at least annually. It was not a great plan the first year but was a very good starting point that continuously improves year by year.

The next thing I looked at was our old organizational structure that had not been modernized in at least 15 years and was well overdue. The problems included too many supervisors managing too few employees and little accountability. With modern communications, the old rule of only 5-7 employees per supervisor is no longer valid; you can supervise more. I recommended we reorganize along functional lines to get started. As a result we were able to consolidate some of the supervisory positions and eliminate or retire some non-essential and low performing staff positions. This reorganization was done in a matter of six months and is the basis of our structure today. Not everyone is happy when these types of adjustments are made. It is understandable that many employees preferred the old system and are very vocal about it. They wrongly believe that fewer employees equate to reduced service and that is not the case. Times change, technology improves and we move forward.

The next thing I looked at was our reserve fund balances that were not being managed properly but were in free fall. I proposed to set maximum and minimum reserve levels and based them on real numbers that we calculated from actual historic costs. We then began to manage these reserves and brought them in line with our actual needs. This process remains in use today.

The next thing I did was introduce a new analytical spread sheet to make our budgeting process more easily understood by non-financial personnel. This made the budget and the fund balance clearer to all and made the process easier. This format has been used each budget year since.

The above were introduced by me in the first few months of my joining the board and were accomplished in the first year and this was not all. I recommended we develop a new pay schedule for all employees based on the worth of their jobs and this was just completed this year. I increased transparency in my second year by having our check book put on our web site for all to see. I also have been working to have our meetings televised and put on our web site. I was one of two board members that led the charge to cut commissioners pay by about 20% and was in favor to hire the current director at a salary that today remains $40,000 less than the former one.

These are only some of the changes I championed but one Board member does not make policy; it takes at least three votes for ideas to become reality. Obviously, at least two other Board members have been in agreement with implementing the changes we have made.

Today we kill many more mosquitoes in a more environmentally friendly manner, at lower cost and dengue fever has not returned. We are using more and newer technology to get better results, offset other skyrocketing costs and getting a return on our investment for the taxpayers. I have used my background and experience and have made a difference on this board. There remains much more to do to continuously improve MC to become an organization we can be truly proud of in Monroe County. I am Phil Goodman and I ask for your vote for District 2 Commissioner, Florida Keys Mosquito Control Board, to allow me to continue to serve you.

Phil Goodman has been endorsed by the Keynoter and the Key West Fire Fighters.

Lorna’s near death experience is so very much like my friend’s own story of that experience. There are at least 6 other interviews on this site. Video

And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors on how to lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

If I were the devil I’d soon have families that war with themselves, churches that war that themselves, and nations that war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flame. If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, and neglect to discipline emotions—just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography—soon I could evict God from the courthouse, and then the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

If I were the devil I’d take from those, and who have, and give to those wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. What do you bet I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich? I would question against extremes and hard work, and Patriotism, and moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging more fun, that what you see on the TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. In other words, if I were the devil I’d keep on doing what he’s doing. ~Paul Harvey, good day.”

Thanks for all the good work you do. I’m not sure why the response to my rant was put in the political zone as mine was not. That is why it took so long to respond. Thanks again and enjoy your weekends.

Pirates on the Water

Pirates on the Water is the officially sanctioned Jimmy Buffett club serving the Upper Florida Keys, part of the Parrot Heads in Paradise network. Members “party with a purpose” by supporting community and environmental concerns, and providing a variety of social activities for people who are interested in the music of Jimmy Buffett and the tropical lifestyle he personifies. To learn more or apply for membership, visit Link

FTR’S RESPONSE: It appears that Team Obama’s plot has quietly died because of the public uproar. That is a very good thing. If you want to read even more about it, check out Link

Oh, by the way, while the Obama sycophants are dead set against quarantining humans coming in from Ebola infected venues, it is required that horses from Liberia or any other African nations except Morocco be quarantined for 60 days

PART 2) A POSTER WROTE: “If you haven’t realized it yet both candidates are lousy. Vote for the Party instead as both contenders suck. It really doesn’t matter who gets elected in this race as both are beholden to special interests and their differences are slight.”

FTR’S RESPONSE: That is really lousy advice and is based a number of false premises. If you believe that both candidates are “lousy”, you are simply wrong. I suggest you do a little basic research to find out for yourself just how poorly Crist governed our state. Then do a little more and amaze yourself about how far we have come under Scott’s leadership. Results count.

It really does matter which candidate is elected. Crist has a record as Governor for you to explore. It is a record of failure.

If Crist is elected you will endure higher taxes, lower wages, and more governmental intrusion into your life. It is the way of the Democrats just as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow.

Scott too has a record as Governor for you to explore. It is a record replete with success. When Scott is elected we will see a minimization of government, which will inevitably lead to lower taxes and fees. We will see even more business expansion, more and better paying jobs. You will be able to keep more of your paycheck. It is, as always the way of the Republicans.

The notion that there are few differences between Scott and Crist is farcical. They could not be more different personally, morally, or politically.

The complaint that both candidates are “beholden” to “special interests”, is only half wrong. Crist is indeed beholden to at least one “special interest”. That is lawyers. He is currently is leveraging his past public office to be a paid pitchman for a mega personal injury law firm, Morgan and Morgan. In the past, while Governor, Crist had close and personal ties and relationships with at least two lawyers who wound up in prison (Scott Rothstein, Russ Adler) Link

Rothstein testified that Crist was his lackey and that Crist granted him much power in the selection of judges. You can be dead certain that Crist, if elected, will repeat that favor by making sure that Morgan and Morgan have first choice at judicial appointments. Further, you can be sure that the legal community will get his urgent support in all matters that benefit lawyers.

So, even if you’re not enchanted with either candidate, it is in your best interest and in the best interest of all of Florida to ignore party affiliation and to vote for the person who feel is most likely to benefit Florida.

BUT WHATEVER YOUR CHOICE, PLEASE VOTE. Personally, I urge you to vote Republican.