COMMENTARY
“In truth, the FPL-funded group is making no effort to ensure voters have “all the information.” Rather, Citizens for a Better Future is solely and exclusively focused on presenting a case for Carroll’s re-election, often by contorting the truth, almost beyond recognition.”
MARK SCHUMANN
In her report today to the Taxpayers’ Association, it was clear Florida Power & Light External Affairs Manager Amy Brunjes was there to politic for Tracy Carroll. Beyond claiming the sale more or less hinges on Carroll’s election, Brunjes said that FPL would walk away from the deal if a simple three-person majority of the Council voted to break off negotiations. It was an incredible statement for Brunjes to make, and it flies in the face, both of logic and of clarifications transactional attorney John Igoe has given on each party’s obligation to conclude the deal.
Brunjes addressed the Taxpayers’ Association at its noon meeting, immediately prior to a candidate forum hosted by the group. That a spokesperson for the company providing some 98 percent of the funding for a campaign to ensure Carroll’s election was given an opportunity to address the Taxpayers’ Association immediately ahead of the candidate forum seemed less than fair to the other candidates. “So, folks, let’s hear now from all five candidates, but do remember which one FPL is supporting.”
Brunjes’ statement that, even with a signed contract in hand, FPL would simply walk away from the deal was pure politicking on Carroll’s behalf. What transactional attorney John Igoe has made clear is that the signed, binding contract between the City and FPL gives either party the right to require specific performance of the other. See Earlier Story
Yet, in answer to a question from utility activist Charlie Wilson, Brunjes said FPL would simply walk away from the deal if three members of a new Council chose to abrogate their contractual obligations to FPL.
Though Brunjes’ will surely claim she has been misquoted, or that her statement has been taken out of context, she said what she said, and she said it within the context of carefully prepared remarks intended to stress FPL’s position that the deal is still in the hands of the City Council.
Wilson asked, “Is there a circumstance in which FPL would walk away?”
Brunjes replied, “The only circumstance would be if the City Council no longer wanted to have the deal, no longer wanted to sell to FPL. We would really have no choice.”
“And that takes of vote of how many?,” Wilson asked.
Brunjes answered, “Three.”
Brunjes, representing a company that is funding an electioneering communication organization currently sending out tens of thousands of post cards urging voters to re-elect Carroll, wants the public to believe a new Council could terminate the sales agreement. This assertion is simply not true.
What seems more likely, is that FPL wants to keep in place a Council that will agree to an amended deal, even if it should be less favorable to the City and its residents and taxpayers.
“For candidates to say that they are in support of the sale to FPL in accordance with the terms of the purchase and sale agreement as it currently exists is tantamount to saying, at the very least, that they are in favor of a stalemate, which if not resolved, will result in no deal, no sale, and no lower electric rates from FPL for Vero Beach residents,” Brunjes said.
Reading between the public relations jargon and the double speak, it is clear why FPL is spending tens of thousand of dollars in an attempt to control the outcome of the City Council election. If whatever final solution is worked out with the Florida Municipal Power Agency results in a negative impact to the City, FPL wants in place a puppet Council that will agree to further financial concessions, beyond what has been approved by voters.
In explaining why FPL is pouring money into Citizens for a Better Future, an electioneering communication organization controlled by Glenn Heran, but almost exclusively funded by FPL, Brunjes said, FPL’s objective is to “ensure voters have all the information they need to make an informed decision on the their future City Council members.”
FPL spokeswoman Sarah Gatewood repeated Brunjes’ claim in a statement to the Press Journal. Gatewood told the Press Journal’s Ed Bierschenk FPL is not contributing to Heran’s group because it is endorsing Carroll, but because the electioneering communication organization is “working to ensure that Vero Beach residetns understand the steps that remian to complete the electric system sale, and the importance of the City Council in that process.”
In truth, the FPL-funded group is making no effort to ensure voters have “all the information.” Rather, Citizens for a Better Future is solely and exclusively focused on presenting a case for Carroll’s re-election, often by contorting the truth, almost beyond recognition.
Indian River Guardian 
This is the most corrupt election in the history of the city and the corruption is being fueled by a Martin County resident, An Indian River County resident, and a 1 month resident, supposedly, of the city.The reality is, that the city is going to be asked to pay much more and Tracy Carroll is the only person who will sign off on it without asking any questions. There is a money trail that can be followed, someone should follow it.
Sounds like baloney was the main entrée for this banquet. Next year FPL will have to buy two council members if they are successful with this purchase.
why not just donate the city to fpl while they are at.they did donate Holman stadium to the dodgers for all intents and purposes. sheesh this gets better and better.man I hate even mentioning I have a republican voting card these days because of this.
Anthony, I suspect we are only seeing the beginning of what FPL can and will do to control politics in our community. Because it is more efficient, and thus more profitable, to provide electricity to more densely populated areas, I would not be at all surprised to see FPL meddle in local zoning laws in the coming years.
There has got to be another reason why FPL wants our electric company. What are we missing?
I want lower bills too but, but something is fishy and it’s not the river.
Why doesn’t FPL just mail Hundred dollar bills to us all?
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Utilities are one of the biggest money making industries…let’s face it, everybody wants power (pun intended). FPL is the LARGEST privately owned utility company in Florida, and one of the largest in the nation. It makes sense that FPL would want to acquire as many municipal power plants as possible, thus enlarging their profit margin while eliminating competition.
Pretty simple math.
The Brunjes/Wilson vaudeville act was something to see. Both of these actors had their scripted lines down perfectly. Both were obvious to an extreme and sickening in their performances. Wilson’s questions to Amy ,a highly paid FP&L employee, were very lawyer like ,and as everyone knows Charlie knows all about lawyers. Remember Wilson was kicked off the city council by a judge. He is also well versed in petition signing. The residents of Vero have much to fear when FP&L money is spent by the tens of thousands,and Bob Brunjes controls the press. All this to get the arrogant and greedy Tracy Carroll elected. The entire issue raised by the Brunjes/ Wilson act is really and truely a red herring Vero has an iron clad contract to sell Vero Electric to FP&L as stated by the transactional attorneys They have cost the city over $1,500.000 and still billing at $500. per hour . This sale will take place no matter who is elected. Wilson’s snickering and laughing were another example of his low class
Its not about Vero, its about FMPA, if FPL can crack the FMPA contracts they can start taking over all the Municipals. The real value is not the utility system at Vero Beach its having the knowledge and ability to take over all the municipal electric systems. Remember FPL can not attack FMPA directly on their contracts because of contractual interference issues, they need a surrogate which is Vero Beach and best of all Vero Beach and now the County is paying for it. While the rate payers of Vero Beach were thinking this is only about lower rates, it looks like FPL is thinking about having FMPA for dinner.
FPL’s interference in this election continues today with the Tea Party inviting us to attend a luncheon where FPL will continue this charade. Then, on to the forum tonight at PAC/VB High….This voting adult will have no part in this fiasco.
of course , I trust satan as much as I do fpl.
Tough crowd in here. FMPA members have some of the highest rates in the state, Vero I think is 4th highest. I know it’s just a big greedy company gobbling up smaller less efficient companies in the quest of lower rates (supposedly). If FPL can crack the FMPA contracts and buy up the rest of the power plants isn’t that kind of the normal progression of capitalism? No different than what Wal-Mart has done to local business? I never hear people complain about paying less for something.
As for the not so transparent sponsorship by FPL they are simply backing the pro sale people. It’s not illegal. Real question is at what price will Vero get FPL power? I wouldn’t doubt for one hot minute that FPL already has this FMPA thing figured out.
Amy Brunjes would have the public believe that in contributing to Citizens for a Better Future, FPL is simply responding to a request from a “community group,” to use her words. In truth, Citizens for a Better Future was started by Glenn Heran, with $100 of what was presumably his own money. The remaining $10,000 in contributions have all come from FPL. Regardless of what Amy Brunjes may try to make the people of Vero Beach believe, Glenn Heran and FPL working together does not constitute a grass roots effort,
I prefer free market meaning little to no monopolies as possible, and no I don’t buy much from walmart. I choose to pay more at publix. the service is worth it.