Monroe County Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro announced Thursday he will seek another term as the Middle Keys representative.
Di Gennaro, a Republican from Key Colony Beach, wants to continue his work to secure much-needed wastewater grant funding, resolve the debate about illegal downstairs enclosures and work on other community issues that have not been resolved yet, he said.
"I want to continue working on our outstanding issues and help bring closure to these issues," Di Gennaro said. "I now have the experience and knowledge of what this county needs. I want to continue to work with the municipalities to accomplish our wastewater work and other issues facing the Keys."
Di Gennaro, 62, has many connections in the state capital of Tallahassee. He has maintained a close working relationship with Gov. Charlie Crist and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chairman Rodney Barreto. Di Gennaro's relationship with Barreto and Crist was instrumental in the Florida Keys obtaining state grant funding for the Vandenberg artificial reef project, project organizers have said. Di Gennaro's relationship with the late state House Rep. Stan Mayfield helped the Keys secure a promise from the state for $200 million for wastewater upgrade projects, which the Legislature promised but has not yet allocated, Di Gennaro said. Di Gennaro helped put together the bond legislation for the $200 million.
Di Gennaro previously was associated with what critics called the "Gang of Three," a County Commission voting bloc that included Dixie Spehar and Sonny McCoy, who were voted out of office last year.
His relationship with the other commissioners since has become more harmonious, with Di Gennaro often voting on the side of Mayor George Neugent, with whom Di Gennaro previously had been at odds. Di Gennaro said the relationships between the county and Keys cities is also stronger.
"I have worked hard to build those strong relationships with Tallahassee," Di Gennaro said. "I want to keep those relationships for the people of Monroe County."
Di Gennaro, who ran unopposed in 2006, faces opposition in the Aug. 24 primary from former County Commissioner David Rice to represent Layton, Key Colony Beach and parts of Islamorada.
Rice left the County Commission to run for a state House seat and lost.
tohara@keysnews.com