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Advocacy in Action

Decyo McDuffie,
Dr. Kiera Lucas,
Jonathon Little,
Gabby Steele
from Collier Mosquito
Control District met with
Florida Senate President
Kathleen Passidomo
during FMCA’s annual
“Tallahassee Days”.

by Patrick Linn, MS, MSHAPI
Executive Director, Collier Mosquito Control District
very year, the Florida legislature This magnifies the need for responsible mosquito control in our
convenes in Tallahassee for its community, and the time in Tallahassee allowed experts to educate
E60-day legislative session. This statewide policymakers on what we are doing to fight the bite.
is an action-packed and exciting time in In addition to this advocacy work, CMCD is in the process of
the state capitol building, and it creates adjusting its district boundaries to match the population growth
the opportunity for community leaders to of our community. This effort requires legislative approval, and we
advocate on behalf of the residents they were able to meet with key legislators to discuss the importance of
serve. district expansion and how it protects not only the health of our
In January, the Florida Mosquito Control Association community, but also our economy that heavily relies on tourism.
(FMCA) hosted its annual “Tallahassee Days” event. Team More than 71% of voters in the proposed expanded boundaries
members from the Collier Mosquito Control District (CMCD) voted in favor of receiving mosquito control services in the 2022
met with dozens of state representatives and senators to discuss referendum. HB 509, the bill authorizing CMCD’s expansion, is
issues related to mosquito control and provide the members with quickly moving through the Florida legislature, and if it is signed
information to help them make well-informed decisions while by the governor, thousands of Collier County residents will start
st
the legislature is in session. receiving mosquito control services on October 1 of this year.
As part of this event, the FMCA also hosted a press I am proud of the great work our team at CMCD does, but
conference that was attended by several legislators. During effective mosquito control is a community-wide effort. Advocacy
this press conference, mosquito control experts discussed events like the one in Tallahassee highlight how community
the changing landscape of the industry around the state and partners can come together to enhance the quality of life in
how we are adapting to best protect the health and wellness Southwest Florida. I want to thank our Collier County legislative
of Floridians. An example of this is the threat caused by the delegation and other local elected officials for their support of
dengue virus. Florida has seen an increasing number of cases of mosquito control over the years.
dengue fever over the last several years, and it is suspected that
the virus is now endemic to Florida.

To learn more about the Florida Mosquito Control Association, visit their website at www.yourfmca.org.
To learn more about the District or to sign up to receive treatment notifications, visit our website at www.cmcd.org.
The Collier Mosquito Control District works to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our residents through the safest and most economical means available.
If you would like more information about how we control mosquitoes, please visit our website at cmcd.org or call us 239-436-1000.

Life in Naples | March 2024 71