Meet Terry McGinn

Candidate for Indian River County - Mosquito Control District Seat 3

RETIRED EXECUTIVE MANAGER AND FORMALLY EDUCATED ENGINEERING CEO WITH FORTY YEARS EXPERIENCE IN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES. MARRIED (TO THE SAME PERSON) FOR 60 YEARS WITH THREE SUCCESSFUL ADULT CHILDREN, FIVE GRANDCHILDREN AND THREE GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SINCE 2007. I HAVE BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT AND ESPECIALLY THE IRC MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Graduated LaSalle Academy High School, Massachusetts Maritime Academy with BS in Marine and Electrical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with MS Engineering and Management, completed many post graduate programs in advanced science and technology. Education workshops in community management.
Completed 6 years US Navy commission (reserve) as Lt Jg.
Formerly licensed USCG 3rd Engineering Officer (any HP any Ocean).
Have lived in 6 states and the Bahamas and I was community active in all.

WHAT ARE THE GREATEST CHALLENGES FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL IN THE NEXT 4 YEARS

These are some by priority:

Drastically implementing community transparency including internal to external data availability (through web access), social media implementation, live meeting remote access (a project that has had low to zero priority for the last 4 years), completion of Audio/Visual hardware and software implementation.
Increasing and improving scientific and technical proficiency by increasing depth of staffing. This is a continuous improvement requirement as the county grows and technology improves.
Hiring a dedicated, proficient (A/V knowledgeable, computer oriented) media staff member to bring online meetings, workshops and up to date news to the taxpaying and general public.
Improving the balance of financial performance, its availability and its transparency.
Drastically improving the transparency of internal operations through frequent communications, employee feedback and more detailed monthly reporting on staff.
Improving the teamwork between both the district board members and the staff.
Educating the public residents, both taxpayers and others, about what the district’s goals and operations are and what “Mosquito Control” is as a science, a process and a service. Demonstrate why this taxing district is critical to quality of life.
Establishing a better short and long-range plan for the district by setting goals and actions whose details match the mission. Produce actionable items that the director will meet and on which staff will be measured, in science, operations, social outreach, infrastructure, and capital planning.

HOW SHOULD THOSE CHALLENGES BE ADDRESSED?

Staffing positions, both current and planned, should be clearly defined in detail, and new hires should be advertised, vetted, and chosen from inside or outside, for the best education, experience, and background. (every time, every position.)
Follow the board’s charter, which is to provide oversight and guidance by setting strict guidance, financial measurements and reporting requirements on a monthly and quarterly basis. In addition require approval of the short and long range planning actions and accountability with timeline dates for those actions.
Transparency and accountability must be often (monthly) and in writing.
Reestablish Zoom and YouTube videos for all public meetings and continue to improve AV Equipment input/output, which is still incomplete. The public cannot see what’s happening, unlike other districts, boards, or councils in IRC.
Revise/expand the content of the website, so data can be accessed directly. The county/city websites are good examples of transparent and complete access.
Create more board teamwork in meetings and public workshops, since that is the only place where any discussion and planning can take place (Sunshine Laws). Continue to require ethics, respect, and courtesy to all staff, fellow board members and the public.
More comprehensive short and long-range planning is still lacking and is critical for future planned growth in geographical size of the area covered and the technology researched and implemented.

WHY AM I THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR SEAT# 3 MOSQUITO CONTROL FOR 2025?

I have the education/experience credentials to provide the guidance and oversight to achieve the mission and goals for the next four years in seat #3
I have been passionate and engaged in whatever I believe is important. It is more than a political job for me. I am always a team player and I am running to backstop the other incumbents who share my goals and values.
I set and meet goals and deadlines, ALWAYS!
I understand that the requirements today to meet the district mission and goals are direction, deep professional staff (more than most agencies), flexibility to meet environmental challenges, short-range and long-range planning, detailed financial plans and controls, and mostly transparency/accountability of the district to all taxpayers/all residents.
I have made a constant practice to discuss and learn the history, the problems, and the challenges with the (former) director, the current director, the staff and the current board members and I am prepared to continue learning the needs of this organization by engaging the staff through the director, where possible.
I am prepared to help bring more teamwork to the process with the board and staff.
I am an advocate for public transparency and education about Mosquito Control. When residents don’t understand something, there is apathy and lack of support.
If elected I will be available for all meetings including summer either personally or by Zoom.
I have the time. I am retired.