Five questions with Milton City Council candidate Larry McKee

Early voting is underway in Santa Rosa County and will continue until Nov. 2, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Below are Larry Mckee’s answers to our questionnaire:

SRPG: What are some of the qualities that the new Chief of Police should have?

Strong community ties are extremely important for a police chief in a small town like Milton. The candidate should have a proven track record in law enforcement, with ever-increasing experience in leadership roles. In those leadership roles, the candidate should have demonstrated the ability to make sound decisions under pressure, identify and address issues effectively, and the ability to build and maintain a cohesive and motivated police force.

SRPG: Citizens have addressed their concerns with the wastewater effluent carrying PFAS into our drinking water. How will you address these concerns?

Although federal regulations have not addressed the safe levels of PFAS and PFOS in treated effluent, the EPA has established drinking water standards. Consequently, as community leaders, we should identify where we may violate those drinking water standards (intentionally, accidentally, or just by ignorance). If the possibility exists that our effluent may enter the aquifer supplying our drinking water, steps must be taken to prevent such action and protect our citizens.

SRPG: Traffic has been an ongoing issue in Downtown Milton. What should be done about this, if anything, and what would the timeline for that project be?

We must take action to work with the Florida Department of Transportation and complete the widening of Highway 90 to four lanes. Public input must be requested, reviewed, discussed, and pushed forward for completing the project as soon as possible. Widening Highway 90 will not be the end to the traffic issues, but it will be a good start. It is time to move forward with the project while protecting the historic feel of downtown Milton.

SRPG: What makes you the right candidate? Tell us about your platform.

I am running on the platform of change. Too often we, the citizens of Milton, are subjected to an extremely negative and often hostile environment when we attend the city council meetings. This must change immediately. As a proven leader in the Navy, the Postal Service, the Blackwater Pyrates, and most recently as a school bus driver, I plan to bring strong leadership to the council.

SRPG: How can you reaffirm the citizens trust in you as a city council member?

Trust is earned and the city council has lost the trust of the citizens. I plan to improve on the recent attempt at establishing defined rules of order for council meetings. Although the concept for improving the meetings appeared to be in good faith, the result just added to the distrust of the city council. I want to have a planning meeting to request, acknowledge, and discuss a better method for citizens input at our meetings.