Posey appoints Burns chief of staff

Congressman Bill Posey has named Stuart Burns his new chief of staff, succeeding Tonnie Wybensinger as his top advisor in Washington.

Burns previously served in Posey’s Washington office as legislative director and deputy chief of staff, and also served for 14 years as a legislative aide to former Space Coast Congressman Dave Weldon.

“Stuart brings over 20 years of legislative and policy experience to this position along with an extensive knowledge of Florida’s 15th Congressional District, its constituencies and key industries,” Posey, R-Rockledge, stated in a press release. “I’ve been truly blessed to have him on staff for my first term in Congress and I’m excited about working with him moving forward.”

Burns graduated from King College in Bristol, Tenn., with bachelor’s degrees in political science and history. He began working on Capitol Hill in 1988 with the House Republican Conference under Chairman Jerry Lewis. In 1992, he worked as a political appointee in the administration of George H.W. Bush. He returned to Capitol Hill in 1993, where he worked for Rep. Bill Baker, 1993-1995, and for Weldon from 1995-2008.

Burns joined Rep. Posey’s staff in January 2009 as deputy chief of staff until his promotion to chief of staff.

Waste company now has crime watch

Waste Management has announced the introduction of Waste Watch, a community safety program for Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.

By partnering with local law enforcement, Waste Management truck drivers will serve as an extra set of eyes and ears for reporting suspicious activities or emergencies to local authorities, company officials stated in a press release.

Waste Management security personnel have trained the drivers to respond in the case of an emergency, and will now be aiding local law enforcement to prevent dangerous situations from occurring, officials stated.

Company officials will introduce the program Wednesday in Orlando. Law enforcement representatives from Osceola and Seminole counties, Orlando, Belle Isle, Altamonte Springs, Oakland, Kissimmee and Lake Mary are expected to attend.