COMMENTARY
MARK SCHUMANN
The Code Enforcement Board’s recent 3-2 decision to set aside a long-standing interpretation of the City’s code that has, until now, prohibited short-term rentals is sparking a firestorm in the community. Expect the City Council chambers to be packed Tuesday, September 3, when citizens will turn out to demand the Council appeal the Board’s decision to the circuit courts.
The current controversy was sparked when Vice Mayor Tracy Carroll and her husband, John, challenged the Planning Department’s interpretation of City code.
The Carrolls own a home in the central beach, which they frequently rent on a short-term basis. Until the Carroll’s challenge the City’s code, and long before current planning director Tim McGarry came to town, short-term rentals of less than 30 days have been prohibited in Vero Beach’s neighborhoods.
It just so happens that Carroll is also one of the City Council’s strongest supporters of the sale of Vero Electric. Suffering, as he is, from myopic vision, civic activist Charlie Wilson, the self-described “professor of political baloney,” was again on Bob Soos’ radio program this week dishing out misinformation, as he claimed opponents of short-term rentals are really only trying to derail the sale of Vero Electric.
Yet again, Wilson is on the wrong side of the truth, as he serves up arguments that are disconnected from reason and reality. Thoughtful persons who can comprehend more than one dimension of reality at a time see through the “professor’s” propaganda and misinformation.
Wilson would have Soos’ listeners believe there is no legal basis for the City’s long-standing interpretation of its Code. Let’s face it, though, Wilson is no legal scholar. Who can forget his bungled interpretation of the City’s residency requirements for Council candidates?
Opponents of short-term rentals are, quite reasonably, concerned about preserving the quality of life in Vero Beach, a priority that seems to be of little if any concern to the likes of Tracy Carroll and Charlie Wilson.
Indian River Guardian 
I wonder why the Professor of Baloney even attempts to remain on the public radar. He has no credibility so no one really pays attention to him.
If a lie is repeated enough, people might tend to believe it . . . even the liar himself. What concerns me are the elected officials that seem so eager to listen to a person with no noticeable qualifications other than those bestowed upon himself. I am an ignorant rube and I can see through the lies so why do the supreme intellectuals who occupy our positions of trust line up to sign this scoundrel’s dance card?
There are a group of carpetbaggers ready to do whatever it takes to line their pockets and destroy Vero Beach. The invasion of the Vero snatchers began years ago and the loss of local media is a major culprit.
Mark, I believe that your grandfather would be very ashamed of the current state of the radio station name and newspaper name that he toiled with his blood, sweat and tears and created to reflect his own personal sense of honor and integrity. Those are attributes that sadly the now owners lack.
Do you think our leaders of the past would tolerate this time wasting nonsense? After one square dance with John Little both Ms. Carroll and Mr. Wilson would be simpering in the corner sucking on their respective thumbs.
Words well said. Of all of the council, I’m most surprised by Mr. Fletcher. His roots to Vero Beach are deep, and his father, who also served on the council, fought the good fight years ago against selling the electric utility. What changed?
I predict a relatively swift downfall for Wilson. As Abraham Lincoln said, “You can fool some of the people some of the time… .” I think the “Emperor” is about to lose his clothes. Now if only I could say the same about Solari.
And Mr. Taylor, your visual in the last paragraph cracked me up at first. I then realized how true it is and was quickly brought back to sad reality.
Civic activist Mr Wilson is well protected from short term rentals since his residence is a PO Box and the Postal Service does not lease on a daily basis.