MARK SCHUMAN

In a letter addressed to Florida Power & Light President Eric Silagy, Florida Municipal Power Association General Manager and CEO Nicholas Guarriello raised concerns about the accuracy of statements attributed to FPL representatives in recent reporting by Vero Beach 32963.

“I believe the comments from FPL representatives are wrong, and I need your help to correct the public record,” Guarriello wrote.

In a story dated Oct. 3, Vero Beach 32963’s Lisa Zahner reported that the FMPA had let “two September deadlines slip away without responding to Florida Power & Light’s Aug. 20 proposal to fast-track the sale of Vero Electric.”

While FPL’s Aug. 20 letter requested a response from the FMPA by Sept. 20, Guarriello reminded Silagy that he did respond with a phone call to FPL Vice President Sam Forrest on Sept. 19.

Zahner’s story referenced a second deadline, which Guarriello described as a “mystery.”  “I can only assume this refers to a statement that I was told came from FPL’s External Affairs Manager Amy Brunjes at a Vero Beach Utilities Commission meeting on Sept. 24 where she reportedly said FPL was expecting a response from the FMPA by the end of September,” Guarriello wrote.

“We have heard from FMPA that they would have a response to use by the end of this month,” Brunjes said when speaking before the Vero Beach Utilities Commission on September 24.  Brunjes comment to which Guariello referred is made at the 1:40 minute mark in the following video recording of the meeting. (SEPT. 24 COVB UTILITY COMMISSION MEETING)

Guarriello next took exception to a statement attributed by Vero Beach 32963 to FPL spokesperson Sarah Gatewood.  Gatewood’s statement contradicted FMPA Assistant General Manager Mark McCain’s explanation to Zahner that to fully analyze FPL’s offer the FMPA was awaiting additional information from FPL. Gatewood was quoted by Zahner as saying, “Right now, we don’t believe that FMPA is waiting on anything from FPL.”

Gatewood reportedly also told Zahner, “We are hoping to hear back from the FMPA in the next week or two.”

Guarriello reminded Silagy  that the FMPA is, in fact, awaiting information about FPL’s proposal to make available transmission capacity on the Southern Company’s transmission system.

“I need your help to make these necessary clarifications,” Garriello wrote.  “There are people in Vero Beach who, unfortunately, have accused FMPA of ‘slow walking’ this deal, and they could use a news report like this to support their case and damage FMPA’s reputation.”

Guariello closed his letter to Silagy by emphasizing the deal is complex and will require “careful and thorough analysis.”  According to Guariello, the FMPA’s review of FPL’s proposal must involve all affected cities, which, he said, will take “significant time.”

The full text of Guariello’s letter to Silagy follows: