THIS IS AN ARTICLE FROM THE KEY WEST CITIZEN FROM JUNE 9, 2010:
Dan Dombroski said he wants to use the skills he has learned from years of working with nonprofit social service agencies to help end infighting on the mosquito control board and help the district spend taxpayer money more wisely.
Dombroski, 55, is the latest candidate to enter into the race for the District 2 seat on the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District board, which represents Big Pine Key to Marathon.
He has been the executive director of the Boys Girls Clubs of the Florida Keys since 2002. Before that, he worked with nonprofit social service groups under the New York State Department of Social Services.
"The one thing I learned working with nonprofits is that I have to squeeze $1.50 out of every dollar I receive," Dombroski said.
If elected, he wants the district to start collaborating with other county agencies to see where services overlap and costs can be reduced.
"Mosquito Control has long been its own thing," Dombroski said. "It's out there and does what it wants to do. I'm not saying we should cut services, but we should manage the funds more effectively."
Dombroski, who has a master's degree in administration and community organization from Hunter College in New York, said he did not know exactly where cuts needed to be made, but agreed the board should cap the salary of Director Ed Fussell, who is the highest paid administrator in Monroe County. He earns $186,400 a year.
That's an opinion shared by incumbent Rick Rudell, whom Dombroski is challenging for the seat.
The salary issue is one of many spending issues that has divided the board in the past year. Many of the decisions, especially those dealing with spending, have come down to 3-2 votes, with Commissioners Rudell and Bill Shaw voting one way and Steven Smith, Joan Lord-Papy and Bill Langstaff voting the other way. Shaw and Rudell have been vocal critics of Fussell, while the other three have mostly supported him.
Dombroski said the director and board members need to work together and "stop airing their dirty laundry in public."
"Being on a board is a two-way street when it comes to communication," he said. "There should be no secrets."
Dombroski, who moved to the Florida Keys eight years ago from New York, actively volunteers and works with local philanthropic groups. He is a graduate and former board member with Leadership Monroe County, a member and former board chair of the Key West Sunrise Rotary, board president of The Salvation Army, and a mentor with Take Stock in Children.
Dombroski faces fellow Democrat Jay Marzella in the Aug. 24 primary. The winner will face the winner of the Republican primary between Rudell and challenger Howard Hubbard in the Nov. 2 general election.
Mosquito Control board members make $23,838 a year and the chair makes $24,438 a year. Board members can receive the same health, vision and dental benefits as employees.
tohara@keysnews.com
