COMMENTARY

KEN DAIGE

Lately the attitude of elections has been one of self interest acting on individual wants.

The type of elected individual officiating at city hall will determine the financial outcome residents and business owners will be burdened with.

A city elected official’s duty and obligation is to all city residents: individuals, families with and without children, retirees, part-time residents, and in part to local business.

The elected official is to ensure the health, safety and general welfare of that city they represent, Having respect for the individual while appreciating how their decisions affect all in the community they set the tone for the quality of life in our fair city. This statute affects our daily quality of life.

Does the elected official follow the same guidelines and responsibilities residents are required to follow or twist regulations in favor of them, their friends, family or business relationships?

Who are the voters?

The hope is that voters care about true and factual knowledge about issues that affect their lives, their families and their businesses within the community they reside.

The actual voter approximates less than 16 percent out of a city resident population of 15,000; less than 3,000 people.

That is 3,000 residents out of 15,000 who choose to have a voice in local politics including commerce, traffic safety, road and bridge repair and construction, permitting, police, parks – your overall quality of life within the city limits of Vero Beach.

The voter is responsible for the choice they make at the ballot box. It is considered prudent that they choose carefully and with some study; applying knowledge while they vote at the ballot box.

What quality of life do you want, how do you want your city to function and at what cost?

*There will be multiple costs and associated obligations facing city residents and businesses in the very near future.

*Not all parks are treated equally. The following are not protected in the city charter: a recognized-legitimate dog park, parts of Jacoby Park, Charles Park and all of Piece of Pie Park, Crestlawn Cemetery, and Veterans Island Memorial Park to name a few. These parks are considered ‘surplus land’ by some current city council members. Businesses have already approached these council members to enact policy to promote the sale of these parks and lands.

*Responsibility for the health of the lagoon includes: serious consideration of septic tank use; availability of water for drinking and other uses; run-off and drainage systems evaluated and monitored; educated and respectful recreational and other use. Clear and scientific data needs to be considered and implemented.

*The city no longer has the employee base to aid in the recovery of any future tragic events. The city also outsourced to a private company that went out of business. In an emergency measure at a recent city council meeting the council voted to ‘piggy back’ off the county in case of an event. Policy dictates the county’s obligation to its residents – the city will be last on their list.

*A recent city council vote for a 6 percent franchise fee will be added to the 10 percent utility fee on the city ratepayer electric bill for a total of 16 percent added cost to your electric bill after the acquisition by FPL. This money comes out of your pocket – it is not paid by FPL. The city is also obligated to carry an insurance risk policy in favor of FPL for an indefinite period of time that will be paid for by city ratepayers and will be on the city ratepayer’s electric bill. In five years FPL will be able to apply to the Public Service Commission to charge city ratepayers a fee that would be added to the city ratepayer’s bill to offset FPL’s outlay of acquiring the electric system. (A major private utility on Florida’s West Coast received permission to charge ratepayers – not share holders for costs at the Crystal River nuke plant.) FPL also has a strong lobbying history that financially rewards them and their share holder’s interests, not ratepayers.

November 5^th is Election Day: this years last opportunity for any city resident-registered voter to vote for candidates who will follow the city charter and the home rule policies of responsible and effective city government that benefit all city residents and the community they all live, play and work – and for some – have eternal peace.