AskFlagler Mosquito Control Candidate Interview: Lance Alred

Lance Alred is one of two candidates running for Seat 3 on the East Flagler Mosquito Control Board of Commissioners. His opponent is incumbent Commissioner Ralph Lightfoot. This is Alred’s second run for elected office, having launched a bid for Flagler School Board in 2022.

All three Mosquito Control seats were up for election this year, but incumbent Commissioner Mike Martin did not draw a challenger, leaving only two races to appear on the ballot in November. Along with Lightfoot and Alred, incumbent Julius ‘Jules’ Kwiatkowski will face challenger Perry Mitrano for Seat 1.

Other Candidate Interviews

Flagler County Commission:

• Andy Dance – Flagler County Commission, District 1
• Fernando Melendez – Flagler County Commission, District 1
• Kim Carney – Flagler County Commission, District 3
• Bill Clark – Flagler County Commission, District 3 (Did Not Complete)
• Nick Klufas – Flagler County Commission, District 3
• Ed Danko – Flagler County Commission, District 5
• Michael McElroy – Flagler County Commission, District 5
• Pam Richardson – Flagler County Commission, District 5

Flagler School Board:

• Derek Barrs – Flagler School Board, District 3
• Janie Ruddy – Flagler School Board, District 3
• Lauren Ramirez – Flagler School Board, District 5
• Vincent Sullivan – Flagler School Board, District 5

East Flagler Mosquito Control Board:

• Julius ‘Jules’ Kwiatkowski – East Flagler Mosquito Control Board, Seat 1
• Perry Mitrano – East Flagler Mosquito Control Board, Seat 1
• Lance Alred – East Flagler Mosquito Control Board, Seat 3
• Ralph Lighfoot – East Flagler Mosquito Control Board, Seat 3

Palm Coast City Council:

• David Alfin – Palm Coast Mayor
• Peter Johnson – Palm Coast Mayor
• Alan Lowe – Palm Coast Mayor
• Cornelia Downing Manfre – Palm Coast Mayor
• Mike Norris – Palm Coast Mayor (Did Not Complete)
• Kathy Austrino – Palm Coast City Council, District 1
• Shara Brodsky – Palm Coast City Council, District 1
• Ty Miller – Palm Coast City Council, District 1
• Jeffery Seib – Palm Coast City Council, District 1
• Dana ‘Mark’ Stancel – Palm Coast City Council, District 3
• Ray Stevens – Palm Coast City Council, District 3
• Andrew Werner – Palm Coat City Council, District 3

Interview Criteria

• The object of the interview is not to grill the candidate, nor to give them softballs. Ideally, in their answers the candidates provide to voters a useful insight into their ideology, their priorities, and their knowledgeability and preparedness for office.
• These questions are sent to each declared candidate in Flagler County’s local elections. All candidates running for the same office received the same exact questions.
• The only edits made are for spelling, formatting and basic grammar (i.e., ‘their’ when it should be ‘there’). Censorship of profanity may also be applied if it were applicable. Otherwise, answers are presented in their full form as the candidate provides them.
• Answers are subject to fact-checking if they contain information that’s blatantly misleading or untrue (misrepresenting factually verifiable information, misquoting a statistic, etc). Clarifications will be added underneath the candidate’s answer if applicable. The answers will still be presented as given even if a fact-check or clarification is needed.

Candidate Interview

Date of Birth:

Hometown:

Career/Educational Resume: 

• 2014- Present: Owner of Nomad, LLC a residential and light commercial
  concrete pump company serving NE Florida.
• 2011- 2014: US Department of Defense, subject matter expert inconstruction management. Oversaw off-base construction projects in Western and Northern Afghanistan, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Implemented new protocols for project management, project pricing, contract awards and provided on-site inspections of offbase projects.
• 2001- 2011: President of Custom Homes, Inc, a residential homebuilding company in Georgia and Alabama. Focused on custom, craftsman style construction ranging between 3400- 6500 sq. ft. Awarded top 25 builder in Atlanta, GA 2008.

Education:

• 1990 graduate Palatka High School
• 1991-1993 University Tennessee- Chattanooga. Division I, top 20 wrestling team. Major: History/ Political Science
• 1993- 1994 Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN. B.A. History/ Political Science
• 1999-2000 Florida State University, MBA, Management focus, not completed.

1. The East Flagler Mosquito Control District is one of the county’s least understood government agencies, certainly among those with elected representatives. In your words, what should residents look for in a Mosquito Control Commissioner? What makes you someone who embodies those characteristics?

“First, the East Flagler Mosquito Control District is one of the least understood governmental agencies, so thank you for taking the time to ask and learn more about this vital organization. Before answering the question, I believe it’s important for everyone to know a little history about ‘why’ Mosquito Districts were established in Florida. Just a hundred, or so, years ago Florida wasn’t the tourist destination and great place it is today. A large reason for that was the mosquito population. It was so bad that when the Spaniards first arrived they called Ponce Inlet, ‘Barros de Mosquitoes!’ In the 1800’s, along the St Johns River area (where I grew up) and along the neighboring coastal areas it was known as ‘Mosquito Country.’ In 1877, for example, there was a yellow fever epidemic in Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach attributed to mosquitoes. There were many people, during that time, who felt that Florida could not be developed because of the large mosquito population. Finally, in 1922, the first Mosquito Control District was formed in the state and in 1952 East Flagler Mosquito Control was formed to combat mosquitoes.

“A good Mosquito Control Commissioner, first and foremost, understands the mission of the District, how it plans to achieve its mission and how that mission will be responsibly funded. A good commissioner is a steward of the tax dollars given to the district and provides budgetary oversight. A good commissioner is a professional, who works with others to find solutions. A good commissioner understands that they not only represent themselves but they also represent the District in their day to day engagements and takes that role seriously. As someone who has been a business owner for decades, I have a full understanding of what is needed to fulfill the role of the East Flagler Mosquito Control District, Seat 3 Commissioner.”

2. Building further upon public awareness, how good a job is the Mosquito Control District presently doing at educating the county on the nature and importance of its functions?

“Community outreach is something the East Flagler Mosquito Control District is more focused on and will continue in the future. It is important that the community is aware, not only of our presence, but of the mission because they can help and be active in achieving it! For example, the District is currently attempting to partner with local schools to do science experiments involving mosquitos that will provide educational awareness. I plan to help, in any way possible, with this. Also, the District has been very present at many events throughout the county to answer questions and make citizens more knowledgeable of its mission.”

3. Describe your experience forming and managing budgets, aside from personal/home finance.

“As a business owner for over two decades, I have a great deal of experience forming, overseeing and managing budgets. Also, in a more public light, I have been the Treasurer of the Republican Executive Committee the last two years. In that role, we have had to form budgets, pass budgets through our membership, provide monthly expense and revenue reports and, finally, submit all of this for annual audits. This role has given me tremendous experience with this area of expertise.”

4. How would you evaluate the East Flagler Mosquito Control District’s current preparedness to coordinate with other relevant government agencies, such as the Department of Health, in the event of a mosquito-borne illness outbreak in Flagler County?

“Everyone should be happy to know that we have a very good East Flagler Mosquito Control District. They have a strong, knowledgeable and capable leader at the helm. They are constantly vigilant and regularly test for mosquito-borne diseases. They coordinate and communicate effectively with all government agencies. Many don’t realize that, in the event of a hurricane, the District also has responsibilities maintaining and monitoring mosquitoes due to the high levels of rain we receive. Post-hurricane is one of the most vulnerable times we have for mosquito outbreaks.

“Finally, one of the biggest challenges the East Flagler Mosquito District faces is the future development of the county. The area of responsibility of the District will be expanded. This means the District will not only need to increase its outreach programs but also foster meaningful relationships with those that understand and can help with this expanding role. I believe I can assist the District in both of these crucial areas. It’s because of this, I ask for your vote for Lance Alred, East Flagler Mosquito Control, District Seat 3. Thank you!”