GUEST COMMENTARY
DAN LAMSON/IRNA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Indian River Neighborhood Association recently endorsed candidates Amelia Graves and Dick Winger for the two seats up for election on the Vero Beach City Council. These selections were made after thorough consideration by the Board of Directors and reflected the Board’s concern about the future of the City and who best to see it forward.
Much time, energy and expense has been spent on the sale of the City’s electric utility. The issue has been divisive and mean-spirited responses have served no purpose except to try to conquer public opinion on both sides of the issue. Today the name-calling continues, in attempts to influence the outcome of yet another election. The IRNA will not to contribute to this negative environment.
In fact, the IRNA has consistently avoided a position on this matter of the City’s business, preferring instead to maintain its focus on quality of life and growth issues. It is time now to acknowledge the City is truly at a crossroad and determine which direction it will travel. Where is that quality of life to be found? How will the City grow after the sale of the electric utility?
A City Council cannot wait for that day when they must say we need to plan for the future. Responsible planning requires preparation and a responsible Council does not wait to prepare.
The six City Council candidates had the opportunity to talk about quality of life and growth matters when the IRNA conducted their endorsement interviews. The sale of the electric utility was also discussed because the financial outcome of the sale was integral to the decisions that would be made for the future of the City. Every candidate spoke positively about proceeding with the sale, including the obstacles that must be overcome to see it to conclusion. This issue did not separate any candidates from the others; they all supported proceeding with the sale. What did determine the differences leading to the IRNA endorsements were their visions for the future and how best to accomplish them.
Every candidate was asked the same set of questions and in summary it was obvious two of them stood above the rest. Dick Winger and Amelia Graves. Each one focused on the City of Vero Beach in a positive manner, honoring the traditions and services that bring people and businesses to the City, preserving values and encouraging growth.
These two candidates focused on solutions to problems such as the nutrient run-off into the lagoon by favoring a stronger fertilizer ordinance, to safety problems along the Twin Pairs by re-striping the roadway when the State does routine maintenance a few years from now, to the transient vacation rentals threatening the stability of the City’s single family residential neighborhoods by supporting the legal action now taking place to protect the City’s Codes in this regard.
Both candidates have a long-term relationship with the City.
Dick Winger is an incumbent and running for his second term on City Council. His family has been in Vero Beach since 1971 and his priorities are working for Vero Beach’s community and its people. He has worked hard to keep the Water and Sewer Department as an asset of the City of Vero Beach as well as to maintain the Police Department, 911, animal control, lifeguards and the parks that underlie the beauty and identity of the City.
Amelia Graves is the youngest candidate in the field. Born and raised in Vero Beach she has five generations of family in the area. After graduating from the University Amelia traveled the world extensively, teaching English and working keenly with budgets and bureaucracy to provide food and shelter for impoverished people. She knows firsthand how special Vero Beach is and has extensive knowledge of the issues and challenges facing the City. She is looking forward to bringing fresh ideas to the table.
Both candidates expressed their public service as just that: service to the public. Neither saw election to office as a stepping stone to a political life in other levels of government. They stressed civility and respect in government is important. And both encapsulate the spirit of the Indian River Neighborhood Association.
It is in that spirit that the IRNA believes these candidates will best serve the City of Vero Beach.
Editor’s Note: In the opinion Gary Holland, an Assistant Director with the Florida Department of State Division of Elections, the above guest commentary by Dan Lamson should be published with the following disclaimer: Paid electioneering communication paid for by IRNA Political Committee, P.O. Box 643868, Vero Beach, FL 32964
Holland, however, concluded his email correspondence to an IRNA representative with the following acknowledgement, “All of this may infringe on First Amendment rights (see attached case), which a court could decide that such disclaimers are not required in the above situations.”
Inside Vero, in fact, does not accept payment for publishing guest commentary.
Indian River Guardian 
As the IRNA stated, all City Council candidates endorsed the sale of our Electric Utility. Indeed a significant milestone is the FERC approval today of the transaction. Clearly, the efforts or the Council must be transfixed on the future of Vero Beach post sale.
The political activist “Citizens for a Better Future” organization, whose leader has been funded by IRC to lobby for the sale, and receives 95% of its resources from FPL has mailed a 8×11 inch political endorsement. One side headlines “…A Leader Who will Protect Your Priorities”, the obverse -proclaims “Your Priorities are Tracey Carroll’s Priorities”.
A vast majority do not believe the priorities of our City’s residents is to have a “Rents R Us” community, or eliminate the dog park, provide prime public property for private organizations nor expect arrogance and incivility when dealing with the public at Council meetings.
Indeed at a debate last week, she was dismissive of Ms. Graves candidacy, stating Amelia’s youth would be better served at some future date when she gained more experience. Amelia’s spirited response was followed by enthusiastic acclaim from the attendees.
Ms. Carroll has described herself as “not a reflective person”. Such is a redeeming quality for a NFL middle linebacker, it is decidedly not an asset when deliberation, thought and measured evaluation are required.
The bottom line of this election should be focusing on the salient issue -our future – not a singular near resolved issue of the previous.
I do not believe Tracy Carroll can overcome the disaster that her selfish weekly rentals have on the city , nor do I believe she can overcome her religously bigoted statement spoken at a recent council meeting . Her total lack of sensibility towards others and her selfishness show a lack of a moral compass. With the sale of Vero Electric on track, statements asserting that she is necessary to complete the sale are not ,at all, true. Not even FP&L money can save her because of her arrogance, avarice and temperament. Very few speak well of her.