Commentary

MILT THOMAS

Ever since InsideVero published the three-part series “Who is Charlie Wilson,” he has claimed on the Bob Soos Show and elsewhere that the series contained at “least 40 factual errors.” Wilson finally did respond to four of the forty alleged errors, apparently through an avatar as the “Vero Beach Truth Squad” since he spoke of himself in the third person:

“1. Inside Vero claimed that Wilson and Commissioner Tim Zorc were business partners. Mostly false: Zorc worked as an independent sales person for Wilson before becoming a candidate for County Commission. Zorc worked at the same time for Wilson’s competitor, Asset Research and Recovery. Zorc nor any member of his family has ever been a partner with Wilson in any business. Inside Vero was advised of this fact and changed their claim to ‘associate’ but never corrected their error.”

It is interesting that Wilson refers to my claim that Wilson and Commissioner Tim Zorc were business partners since that appeared in a story about Zorc, not Wilson. Mark Schumann and I did subsequently meet with Zorc (and his wife), where he vehemently denied any current association with Wilson other than representing him as an independent contractor. We subsequently corrected our story based on Zorc’s assurances in a post on our website August 5.  The larger point, though, remains.  Whether the two were business partners or business associates, they clearly had a business relationship.

It is also interesting that Wilson claimed “Zorc worked at the same time for Wilson’s competitor, Asset Research and Recovery.”  In fact, Wilson himself started Asset Research and Recovery in December 2010 with several others. He stepped down as president in September 2011, claiming “It was clear that Commissioner Wheeler will not support anything I am in favor of for purely political reasons.” (Vero Beach 32963 Online, December 29. 2011). Wilson then started Open Permit Search, Inc. and Impact Fee Consultants, as well as the web site ClosePermit.com, apparently violating a non-compete clause in his agreement with Asset Research and Recovery (VeroNews.com, October 8, 2012).

“2. Inside Vero says ‘Wilson is also involved with Zorc’s lagoon advisory committee.’ False. There is no evidence that Mr. Wilson was ever involved in any way with the Lagoon Advisory Committee. Again no correction or retraction has ever been made.”

This also appeared in an article about Zorc, not Wilson, and again it was corrected in the same August 5 post on our website. However, Wilson apparently feels articles written about Zorc are by associatioin also about him, a mistaken impression according to both of them, but one shared by many others.

“3. Inside Vero says ‘he (Wilson) failed to interview anyone at the Chamber before issuing his preliminary report.’ False: Wilson did interview Penny Chandler and others before the report. Chandler called a special meeting of the Chamber Tourism Committee to discuss the report. Doubling down on the claim Inside Author Milt Thomas in a post on Inside Vero this week, denied ever writing that Wilson had failed to meet with Chamber officials. Though clearly wrong no correction or retraction has been printed or posted.”

In an article I wrote for the Treasure Coast Business Journal in April 2007, I said, “It is interesting to note that Wilson had submitted his findings on tourism marketing to the county commission in a draft report dated Feb. 27. That was one week before he met with chamber officials, those most familiar with the process. And it was two weeks before the tourism council met.”

I stand by my comments then and now. No correction needed.

“4. The article entitled Who is Charlie Wilson, has so many errors it is impossible to answer each one. Some are inconsequential such as using the wrong birth date (Inside Vero says March 3. It is actually March 31) simply points to sloppy reporting.

I admit to writing March 3 instead of March 31. But is it “sloppy reporting” or a misprint? And in the vast expanse of Wilson’s accusations, it seems a bit trite.

 “Claiming Fran Adams was on the Tourist Council and talked about Wilson when it was actually Susan Adams. Inside Vero also said Adams was a County Commissioner when the correct Adams is a Fellesmere (sic) Council person.”

Regarding the Tourist Development Council meeting of March 14, 2007, Wilson is correct in saying Susan Adams attended that meeting, not her mother, Fran Adams. However, that deflects the main point in my article. Susan Adams said she had been approached by Charlie Wilson, who told her he had been offered a job to oversee the RFP process (to put tourism marketing efforts out to bid). He had not clarified who offered him that job, and Wilson, who was sitting in the audience, stood to deny the allegation. Subsequently at the April 3, 2007 County Commission meeting, Wilson asked that the county take tourism advertising in-house. These incidents stem from Wilson’s attempts to discredit the Chamber of Commerce handling of tourism. Earlier this year, he even contacted the State Chamber asking how to start a new Chamber of Commerce in Vero Beach. So, while I stand corrected as to whether it was Susan Adams or Fran Adams, we stand behind the facts that surround that error.

“Others such as ‘Wilson published a blog called the Business Report’, Wilson dis (sic) not publish a Business Blog,”

I cannot find any instance where I wrote “Wilson published a blog called the Business Report” as he claims. But if he can find it, I will print a correction.

“Claimed Wilson was a ‘member of the American Medical Association’ when only medical doctors can be members. Wilson was an employee of the Medical Association in the early 70’s but cannot be a member.”

When Wilson ran for a seat on the Indian River County Hospital District board, his resume in the October 31, 2008 issue of The Hometown News included the following:

 Experience: Current owner Media Arts Group Advertising and Public Relations; news director-Treasure and Space Coast Broadcasting; publisher-Mature Living Choices Magazine; WPTV Channel 5 Scripps Television; member, American Medical Association; U.S. Department of Commerce; board of directors, New Horizons Mental Health Hospital

 

“Several paragraphs were written about Wilsons (sic) half brother running for Mayor of Ft. Pierce in 2007 and Wilsons (sic) role in that campaign. Actually Wilson was hired to represent the St. Lucie Association that did not endorse Smyth. They endorsed Rick Reed in the General Election.”

In a November 27, 2007 article on TCPalm.com by Alexi Howk, “Fort Pierce mayoral candidate’s residency questioned,” the following appeared:

 A local civic group with ties to another candidate is questioning mayoral hopeful Rick Reed’s eligibility to seek the office in the Dec. 4 election. Charles R. Wilson, executive director of the St. Lucie Association and brother of candidate Harold “Buzz” Smyth, sent a letter Monday to the Fort Pierce city clerk citing what he said is evidence Reed is a resident of Alabama, not Fort Pierce.

“Inside Vero writes “Circuit Judge Paul Kanarek removed him for failing to meet City Residency requirement” Actually Judge Kanarak (sic) ruled that Wilson had established City residency and agreed with the State Attorneys (sic) office that Wilson had told the truth when pledging his oath as a candidate. The issue was the unclear ordinance that was later amended to correct the rule.”

As far as Wilson’s short-lived tenure on the Vero Beach City Council, the primary issue was that he did not meet the minimum residency requirements and was removed from the Council. Everything else in his answer seems to deflect the most important fact, part of his oft-repeated strategy of “deny, deflect, delay,” which was also evident in his insistence on my error naming Fran Adams in the March 14, 2007 TDC meeting, but not on the facts reported in that incident.

“Inside Vero says Wilson was wrong on his estimates on the worth of the power system. Wilson is on camera before the Council where he tells then Mayor Sabe Abell that the system is possibly worth $150,000,000. Abell and Tom White then tell Wilson he is wrong and that starting January Vero rates will be the same or lower than FPL.”

Apparently Wilson, Abell and White were all wrong.

There are errors to (sic) numerous to mention on the constant blog statements. The answer to the question posed to Vero Beach Truth Squad: ‘Are there multiple, uncorrected or un-retracted errors and false acquisitions (sic) both minor and major contained in the blogs and publications published by Inside Vero and its editor, Mark Schumann’, is yes. There are clearly a number of mistakes, false accusations and items printed with highly edited stories to promote bias and lacking normal journalistic ethics in Inside Vero, bloggers such as bea gardner (sic) and the people who comment on these sites.”

All of the multiple, uncorrected or un-retracted errors and false “acquisitions” both minor and major, mistakes, false accusations and highly edited stories to promote bias, seem to be on Charlie Wilson’s behalf.