Florida Keys News
Monday, August 30, 2010
Bug TV locked in by new contract
Show's host hired five months early, despite board's cancellation talks

Monroe County bug board members are puzzled why the district's director signed an annual contract for its cable access television show's host when they are considering canceling the broadcast for lack of viewers.

Florida Keys Mosquito Control Executive Director Ed Fussell and George Murphy signed a contract renewal for $1,000 a month for 12 months. They struck the deal in Ju...

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We all agree...

This man is smoking the big pipe! Lets get him out of here! the Miami mafia will love him for sure.

Investigate now!

Fussell is out of control. I can't even afford the basic cable to watch this outrageously expensive ego trip. Why is it considered a public service when you have to pay to watch? Hopefully this gang of three will be stopped after the November election. Ward, please open this can of worms. Time to fish!

Fussell's actions are really

Fussell's actions are really bad even by Key's standards. He thumbs his nose at the public and the board constantly. It is time to elect a new board, fire Fussell, and replace him at 70% of his current pay.

Unlawful contract

Fussel doesn't have the authority to contractually bind the agency without board approval. This guy Fussel is out of control. Can't wait for November elections. Should mean a termination in January for old Ed.

I used to watch the bug people...

...come around and dump standing water to reduce the breeding ground for mosquitoes and such. They used to come repeatedly until I caught the drift and started paying more attention to doing it myself. With nearly 70% of the population not here most of the year it must be rather difficult to get the word out about standing water and other issues necessary for keeping the mosquito population under control. The reason why the Bug TV show isn't effective is that people in general are hard pressed for time and there is a over abundance of information from multiple sources so most people are very selective in what they pay attention too. They prioritize their information intake so to speak. A non-entertaining TV show at a set time isn't high up on the list of people's information intake priorities especially when there is all sorts of instant services like the internet. A much more effective means would be a direct mailing or front door posting of essential information. Perhaps even the local newspapers could help by contributing a portion of their front page space to reminding people of key important issues in controlling the mosquito population for preventing the spread of dengue fever. Perhaps when the bug people come around they can place notices on people's doors to get the word out more cost effectively, as they are in people's yards anyway. The Bug TV show should be canceled if it's not being viewed and a bunch of alternate avenues explored instead. Clearly the one avenue approach isn't working.

FIRE FUSSELL!

Fussell shouldn't even think of showing up for work and should instead tender in his resignation today! If he doesn't he should be terminated on the spot. If ever there was justification to fire someone, this is it! The audacity of Fussell to knowingly rush to sign a contract on a program that was in question of being reauthorized (5 months early!) and WITHOUT approval shows clear insubordination and incompetance,and I might add cajones! (That or he thinks Monroe County taxpayers are idiots!) Further, if co-conspirator Murphy had any integrity (personal or otherwise), he would tear up the contract! If Murphy insists on having the contract upheld, he should be assigned to cleaning the latrines at Mosquito Control or to walking the neighborhoods handing out public education materials on dengue fever door-to-door, rather than even think that he will be on camera or paid without earning his $1K a month. Monroe County taxpayers don't deserve this kind of tom-foolery!

FIRE HIM!

FIRE HIM. FIRE HIM. FIRE HIM.

Omnipotent

This is whatt happens when you have a Director who believes he is Omnipotent.

Flush it.

This "TV show" was a waste from the start. Comcast can't keep its cable up on a regular basis, much less air a real TV show. Flush the Mosquito Breeders' show and replace it with "Shopping with Monique."

It's appearant this man,

It's appearant this man, Fussel, is out of control. He should be removed from this position of fiduciary responsibility.

Redundant Services are Costing Taxpayers

One of the biggest misuses of taxpayer money is redundant services. Why is Mosquito Control spending money to inform the public about dengue fever when that's a health threat and therefore should be a part of Monroe County Health Services. Mosquito Control outreach programs should concern themselves with mosquito control/abatement, not a health issue. Obviously if you control mosquito breeding, you control the spread of diseases caused by mosquitos. I'm betting the two departments don't talk and don't coordinate thus wasting taxpayer money. I'm all for outreach but let's set priorities!

No wonder Key West has such a crazy reputation !

As a resident here in Big Coppit , I believe that the Mosquito Control is doing a fantastic job . However , a TV show is really a waste of money because nobody watches it . I think it would be a lot cheaper for the public mosquito inspectors to place prevention flyers in the mail boxes of the neighborhoods that they are inspecting . This would not only save money but it would also be a more effective way to educate the public on prevention of mosquito breeding !
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