Keep those cards and letters coming

FPL postcard handled by Scripps Direct, a division of Scripps Treasure Coast Newspaper began arriving this week. If FPL's thinly veiled efforts to influence the outcome of a past local election's is any indication of what it to come, Vero Beach residents can expect to receive a flood of FP{L propaganda between now and Nov. 5. — An FPL postcard handled by Scripps Direct, a division of Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, began arriving in local mailboxes this week. If FPL’s apparent efforts to influence the outcome of past local elections is any indication of what is to come, Vero Beach residents can expect to receive a flood of FP&L propaganda between now and Nov. 5.

COMMENTARY

MARK SCHUMANN

You can tell fall and another City Council election are around the corner, though this turn of the seasons is not heralded by leaves changing colors. Rather, city residents know it is City Council election season because Florida Power & Light has begun barraging registered voters with post cards touting the benefits of the sale of Vero Electric.

FPL seems set to flood the mail with tens of thousands of post cards emphasizing the company’s low rates, just as the utility giant did during the previous two City Council elections, as well as during the campaign leading up to the March power referendum.

At the same time FPL is spending big money messaging, Tracy Carroll and her surrogates are working hard to create the impression, and many would argue the false impression, that the Vice Mayor is the only candidate out of the current field of six who is committed to seeing the power sale through to completion.

Councilman Richard Winger, who is also running for re-election, voted recently to approve an additional $250,000 for the transactional attorneys. Further, Winger continues to emphasize the importance of finding a way to close the deal.

For his part, candidate and former Vero Beach Mayor Warren Winchester said in an interview yesterday, as well as during the Indian River County Republican Club’s “semi-forum” tonight, that the sale is now on a trajectory that is beyond the Council’s control.

FPL has in the past denied any connecting between its campaign seasons mailings and an effort to support pro-sale candidates.

Carroll and her supporters want the public to believe she alone among the six candidates running for two seats will be willing and able keep the sale on track. In fact, though, only candidate Brian Heady has suggested the city could do anything like “etch-a-sketching” the existing contract with FPL.

Further, transactional attorney John Igoe confirmed today there is no “opt out” provision in the contract that would enable a new council with a new perspective to simply pay $5 million and walk away from the deal.

Quite simply, with the contract between the city and FPL now signed, the sale is out of the hands of the Council. If and when third party approvals are secured will depend on many factors which are completely beyond the control of the Council.

4 comments

Next on the agenda is for FP&L to start ramping up on the glories of the sale to FP&L ,and somehow the Press Journal will find a way to promote Tracy Carroll for city council. Both are so predictable. Lets not forget the husband and wife connection to both FP&L and the Press Journal

It is too late. Not even FP&L’s money is going to save Tracy Carroll. She has lost too many friends in COVB because of the arrogant manner in which she has fulfilled her role on the City Council.