MARK SCHUMANN

Former Indian River County Commissioner Thomas Lowther recently files papers with the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections Office to run for a seat on the Mosquito Control Board.

Lowther, along with his wife, Beverly, has owned and managed Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory since 1997.  The fourth generation Indian River County resident served on the County Commission from 2002 to 2006, and was Chairman in 2005.

“I own and am active in my own business, but also I want to stay involved in the community, and mosquito control is intriguing and interesting to me. I want to be a part of that, offering my prior government experience and my business experience,” Lowther said.

Lowther will be running for Seat 2 on the Board, which is currently held by Keith Hedin.  Lowther said it is his understanding Hedin, who has served on the Board for some 20 years, will not be running for re-election.  Hedin could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

In 2012, former State Rep. Charles Sembler challenged David Foster for Seat 1 and Vero Beach Utilities Commission Chairman Scott Stradley challenged Janice Broda for Seat 2.  Sembler and Stradley, who were pictured together in campaign ads, charged the Mosquito Control Board grossly mismanages in $5.6 million budget. Sembler and Stradley both lost by wide margins.

Lowther does not agree with Sembler’s and Stradley’s assessment of the management and governance of the state’s first mosquito control district, which was founded in 1925.  “The Mosquito Control District board is doing a good job staying on the cutting edge of technology, and they do a tremendous job with what they have to cover.”