Laserfiche WebLink
BOOK <br />78 F' U 585 <br />Commissioner Scurlock expressed his opposition also. He <br />felt the various counties sometimes have different interests and <br />that we would only want to have a lobbyist work for us on a <br />specific task, if we had one at all. <br />Commissioner Bowman looked more favorably on the proposal <br />because she has found that lobbyists are there not only to lobby, <br />but to pass on information that you don't have access to in any <br />other way. <br />Commissioner Scurlock pointed out that we get the Legisla- <br />tive Report, and Commissioner Eggert felt we have many groups <br />that represent us, including the Florida Association of Counties, <br />and she has problems with putting more money into this. <br />Commissioner Bird did not believe that he has enough <br />information to make a decision since he did not know this firm, <br />how large it is, just whom they are going to be representing, or <br />how much of their time we are entitled to. <br />Commissioner Bowman noted that Mr. McGuffey is here to <br />answer the Board's questions. <br />Commissioner Bird wished to know what percent of Mr. <br />McGuffey's time we get for the $90,000. <br />Mr. McGuffey informed the Board that he currently is the <br />lobbyist for Martin County, whom their chairman apparently does <br />not think is very busy; however, he does a lot of other things <br />for them than just lobby. He stated that he is here at <br />Commissioner Bowman's request and felt he perhaps should explain <br />what a lobbyist does in Tallahassee and what could be done and <br />can't be done. Although he is currently employed by Martin <br />County, when the Treasure Coast COG decided to explore having a <br />lobbyist for the whole area, he made a proposal to them. <br />Commissioner Scurlock wished to know Mr. McGuffey's <br />background. <br />Mr. McGuffey advised that he was a military pilot and in the <br />Air Force for 22 years. He retired in 1977 and since then has <br />been working in and around government, first for a not-for-profit <br />60 <br />